Another observation that can also be made regarding
Table 1 is the pattern of unsystematic growth. The average growth rates over
the periods 1977 – 1985 (Pre – SAP) and 1986 – 1998 (SAP and Post – SAP)
indicate that nominal growth has been more substantial. Nominal expenditure
growth Pre – SAP was 10.40 percent while it increased to 33.81 percent during
SAP and Post – SAP era. In real terms, real expenditure growth rates was - 3.80
percent while it managed to record 3.23 percent growth during the SAP and Post
– SAP period. What we can learn from this is that the rate of inflationary
increase in Nigeria hampers education and development of human capital growth;
a characteristic of poor and under-developed country.
Table
1: Growth of Nominal and Real Federal Government Education Expenditure (1977 –
1998)
|
Nominal Total
Expenditure
|
Real Total
Expenditure
|
% Nominal Growth
of Current Exp
|
% Real Growth of Capital Exp
|
% Nominal
Recurrent Exp
|
% Real Recurrent Exp
|
||
Year
|
Total Exp.
|
Growth %
|
Total Exp.
|
Growth %
|
||||
1977
|
8823.8
|
12.31
|
298.1
|
-2.87
|
23.84
|
7.1
|
0.1
|
-13.43
|
1978
|
8000.8
|
-9.32
|
231.91
|
-22.21
|
3.9
|
-10.85
|
-26.69
|
-37.1
|
1979
|
7406.7
|
-7.43
|
192.38
|
-17.04
|
-18.86
|
-27.29
|
13.83
|
2.06
|
1980
|
14968.5
|
102.09
|
353.87
|
83.94
|
140.87
|
119.23
|
50.77
|
37.22
|
1981
|
11413.7
|
-23.75
|
222.92
|
-37
|
-35.39
|
-46.62
|
0.86
|
-16.7
|
1982
|
11923.2
|
4.46
|
216.36
|
-2.93
|
-2.28
|
-9.2
|
13.6
|
5.56
|
1983
|
9636.5
|
-19.18
|
141.92
|
34.42
|
-23.87
|
-38.22
|
-13.72
|
-29.98
|
1984
|
9927.7
|
3.02
|
104.72
|
-26.21
|
-16.08
|
-39.89
|
22.66
|
-12.14
|
1985
|
13041.1
|
31.36
|
130.41
|
-24.53
|
33.28
|
26.35
|
30.01
|
23.25
|
1986
|
16223.7
|
24.4
|
153.93
|
18.03
|
56.03
|
48.04
|
1.59
|
-3.61
|
1987
|
22018.7
|
35.72
|
189.65
|
23.21
|
-25.27
|
-32.15
|
103.28
|
84.55
|
1988
|
27.750
|
26.03
|
153.14
|
-19.25
|
30.88
|
-16.14
|
24.05
|
-20.52
|
1989
|
41028.3
|
47.85
|
150.45
|
-1.76
|
80.26
|
19.78
|
33.93
|
-11.01
|
1990
|
60268.2
|
46.89
|
205.55
|
36.32
|
59.96
|
48.78
|
39.34
|
29.6
|
1991
|
66584.4
|
10.48
|
201.22
|
-2.11
|
17.85
|
4.42
|
5.59
|
-6.44
|
1992
|
92797.4
|
39.37
|
193.97
|
-3.6
|
40.3
|
-2.95
|
38.68
|
-4.08
|
1993
|
191228.9
|
106.07
|
254.33
|
31.11
|
37.07
|
-12.79
|
157.81
|
64.03
|
1994
|
160893.2
|
-15.86
|
136.27
|
-46.42
|
30.12
|
-17.14
|
-34.19
|
-58.09
|
1995
|
248768.1
|
54.62
|
121.86
|
-10.57
|
70.81
|
-1.21
|
41.85
|
-17.96
|
1996
|
288094.6
|
15.81
|
109.21
|
-10.39
|
30.99
|
1.36
|
1.4
|
-21.53
|
1997
|
356262.3
|
23.66
|
124.43
|
13.94
|
32.24
|
21.85
|
13.14
|
4.24
|
1998
|
443563.3
|
24.51
|
140.85
|
13.2
|
12.98
|
2.72
|
41.02
|
28.21
|
Average 1977 – 1985
= 10.40 1977 – 1985 = -3.8
1986 – 1998 = 33.81
1986 – 1998 = 3.23
a. Source: Raw
data obtained from Central Bank of Nigeria, Statistical and Annual Report and
Statement of Accounts. (Various issues). b. The Real values are obtained by deflating
the nominal value by the composite Consumer Price index (1985=100)