Abstract
Basic education forms the cornerstone of national development, yet Nigeria continues to suffer from chronic underfunding despite policy frameworks aimed at universal access. This paper adopts a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology, guided by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework, to investigate the implications of inadequate funding on the quality delivery of basic education in Nigeria. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, and empirical reports published between 1999 and 2024, the review sourced data from Google Scholar, JSTOR, ERIC, and ResearchGate. One thousand three hundred fifteen records were identified, with 86 studies meeting the inclusion criteria after screening and eligibility assessment. The findings highlight a consistent failure to meet the UNESCO-recommended 15–20% budgetary allocation for education, with basic education often receiving marginal and delayed disbursements. Key issues identified include dilapidated infrastructure, a shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate teaching materials, and weak financial accountability at the state level—aggravated by the conditional requirement for counterpart funding to access federal grants. The review also reveals that political apathy, poor fiscal planning, and mismanagement undermine efforts to improve basic education outcomes. The paper recommends a stronger policy enforcement mechanism, transparent fund allocation, and integrating alternative funding strategies such as public-private partnerships and community-based financing to reverse these trends. This review contributes valuable insights for policymakers and education stakeholders committed to achieving equitable and quality basic education in Nigeria by 2030.