Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the improved investment in Nigeria's education sector by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflects the renewed vigour to properly situate the nation in the global knowledge economy. He warned that Nigeria cannot compete globally if its universities remain underfunded, stressing that sustained investment in education is now a core pillar of national development and security under President Tinubu administration. The Vice President reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to transforming Nigeria's education sector through increased funding and comprehensive reforms. He was speaking on Saturday in Maiduguri at a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State. Speaking on the focus of the administration of President Tinubu, the Vice President said "...the administration has not come to pay lip service to education.

It recognize that the soul of national development lies in what the citizens know, what they can imagine, and what they can create. VP Shettima disclosed that "in the 2025 Budget, education received a total of 3.5 trillion naira, amounting to 7.3 percent of the national budget, an increase from the previous year. Senator Shettima however acknowledged indeed the challenges that have persisted, noting that "for decades, underfunding has weakened the foundations of our education system. International benchmarks recommend that between fifteen and twenty percent of national budgets be devoted to education, yet we have often fallen short. We have fallen short because we are compelled to balance competing national priorities such as security, healthcare, and infrastructure."

Reflecting on the impact of insecurity on education in the North-East, the Vice President recalled that over 500 schools were attacked in Borno State between 2009 and 2021, with thousands of classrooms destroyed and teachers killed or displaced. However, he said the state has staged a remarkable recovery. As at March 2025, 877,777 learners were enrolled in public schools across Borno, with the state committing ₦69.81 billion to education. Over 26,000 students had their WAEC fees paid by the government, while daily school feeding now costs about ₦122 million. Earlier, Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, said the state government was proud of the legacies of the University of Maiduguri and announced the award of scholarships for further studies to 200 lecturers from the institution.

He said the institution has been instrumental in the state’s human parietal development efforts as well as economic blueprints over the years. In the same vein, Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State who announced a donation of N1.8 billion on behalf of the states in the northeast region for the University's endowment fund, commended efforts aimed at expanding funding sources for the institution through partnerships with the private sector and individuals. For his part, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Mohammed Mele, said the anniversary event was a celebration of success, resilience and perseverance in the face of conflict, recalling the challenges faced by the institution due to the insurgency. He sought improved collaboration with the private sector to complement government funding of the institution, in its bid to sustain strides recorded in various fields.