Nigeria Promises Free Education to All
Niger State governor Dr Babangida Aliyu stated that Nigeria’s wealth of human and natural resources can afford free primary and secondary education with enough to subsidize tertiary education. The promise was made during the 3rd African Regional Centre of Expertise Meeting, where the country’s delegates and school principals met to discuss the most pressing issues of the country.
Aliyu placed education as a top priority and agreed to increase his administration’s investments in the education sector. Aliyu further emphasized that elected and public appointed officials must “reduce stealing” and eliminate corruption to provide free education for all in Nigeria. United States Consul General Jeffery Hawkins stated “corruption drains the federal treasury of funds that could do wonders in expanding and improving the education provided to millions of Nigerian children, which in turn would enhance Nigeria’s economic future.”
Aliyu also addressed that educated people are easier to govern than those uneducated and will avoid unprecedented problems for the future of the country.
Out of 30 million Nigerian children, less than half are currently in school and less than one-third will continue to senior secondary school.
According to Aliyu, “our policy initiative on free and compulsory basic education, abolition of school fees, provision of learning and teaching materials, and payment of WAEC or NECO examination fees as well as school infrastructural development among others, remain fully on course and shall continue to receive government support.”
Aliyu also urged university professors to support implementation for the new policies and research sustainable educational development, and said “people must depend on universities for knowledge. The days of universities cocooning themselves is over.”
Creative Commons Love: Gates Foundation on Flickr.com
Written by Rachel Pozivenec
