Development of Education in Nigeria and the Ways Forward

Abstract

This paper discussed the hydra-headed challenges faced by school administration and development at all levels of education in both private and public schools in Nigeria. Secondary data was used to support the points raised in the paper using an interpretive research paradigm by sourcing data from print and online resources. Many challenges are working against the smooth development and administration of schools in Nigeria. Some of the problems include a lack of data, inadequate funding, political instability, brain drain, and an unstable academic calendar among others. The study identified students, parents, school administrators, and the government as the causative agents of these challenges. These problems are not peculiar to Nigeria alone, most developed and developing countries face similar challenges. The finding from this research is that these problems are jointly caused by all stakeholders contrary to the general belief that they are caused by bad governance only.  To solve these problems, this article recommends: that the national policy on education should be effectively implemented, an increase in the education budget to 26%, provision of adequate infrastructure, an effective data bank policy for schools to aid planning, employment of only licensed teachers and provision of alternative programs for school dropouts