Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the state of Nigeria’s education system, claiming that the Federal Government’s decision to phase out the junior and senior secondary school separation policy is more a reflection of years of poor leadership than a flaw in the policy itself.

The criticism followed the Federal Government’s admittance that the policy had failed to enhance learning results across the country.

The admission has spurred new discussions about Nigeria’s deteriorating exam results and educational quality.

The Brandspur Politics reported that Obi related the strategy’s failure to bad funding and ineffective leadership, noting that the country’s education system required urgent adjustments rather than policy reversals alone.

Reacting in a post on X, Obi said, “The Federal Government has finally admitted to its poor management of the education sector. The strategy that separates junior and senior secondary schools has not improved educational achievements, as the Minister of Education recently admitted. The outcomes of recent examinations make this clear.

Additionally, he cited test results, pointing out that only 38.32 percent of applicants passed the West African Senior School Certificate Examination in 2024 in both English Language and Mathematics, while only 32 percent passed the computer-based WASSCE in 2025.

Obi claims that the numbers point to a more serious issue that jeopardises Nigeria’s long-term growth.

Continuing his remarks, Obi said, “This admission is tragic because education is the most vital contributor to human capital development, which forms the foundation for growth and economic development of any society. We cannot overcome economic stagnation without prioritising education, healthcare and job creation to lift millions of unemployed youths out of poverty.”

As worries about deteriorating academic achievement persist, his remarks have sparked online debates among Nigerians about the Federal Government’s education policies and the necessity of ongoing investment in schools, teachers, and learning facilities.