President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the Nigerians community in France that allocations to the educational sector will be improved as revenue increases, describing the sector as a major engine for the development of any country.
He admitted that the five per cent allocation to the sector was inadequate to propel the desired growth for the economy, pointing out that United Nations target of 26 per cent remains ideal.
“We are currently reviewing investments in the entire infrastructure of the country like road, rail and power, including investing more in education. We will certainly need to do more in education,’’ he said.
Buhari urged Nigerian elites, both at home and diaspora, to do more in contributing to the educational sector of the country.
The president, however, expressed surprise that the elite tolerated the fall in standards and structures of educational institutions despite oil windfalls in the past that would have made all the difference.
“I am doing my best now to utilize our resources to develop the country. We are already getting results on road, rail and power.
“My frustration is that some people still have plenty stolen money stashed in Europe, U S and other countries,’’ he added.
Buhari said return of stolen assets in some safe heavens would bolster the administration’s current effort of investing more in critical infrastructure that directly impact on the livelihood of Nigerians .
According to him, the war against terrorism will be reinforced with new weapons and hardware for the military, while the challenge of abduction and kidnapping in some parts of the country will receive more attention with better gathering of intelligence.
“We campaigned on three key issues; security, improving the economy, and fighting corruption, and we have not been controverted by anyone that we have not recorded some results,’’ he added.
On Nigerians in diaspora participating in elections, the President said the population of citizens in various countries across the world already necessitated their inclusion to elect leaders.
He stated that it might not happen in the 2019 elections as INEC had been more focused on strengthening and consolidating on its achievements of conducting credible elections within the country.
The President, however, said it could happen in future.
He added that the Nigerian constitution had taken into cognizance the need for representation in the political structures in order to ensure harmony and development, urging more people to pick interest in governance and quality representation.