Increasing tuition fees has the potential to further exacerbate Nigeria's education crisis, cautions
UNESCO, a UN agency, reports that Nigeria faces a substantial number of out-of-school children who are unable to access classrooms due to a range of challenges, including poverty and banditry.
Mrs. Ibironke Adeagbo, the CEO of the UK charity IA-Foundation, has cautioned that a rise in tuition fees at Nigerian universities could exacerbate the challenges currently afflicting the nation's education sector.
In light of recent tuition and fee hikes implemented by certain Nigerian universities, Adeagbo emphasized that a nation grappling with around 20.2 million out-of-school children should not entertain the idea of raising educational costs.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday, she asserted that any form of fee increase should not even be considered until Nigeria overcomes its challenges and ensures that every child receives an education.
Adeagbo remarked, "The decision to raise tuition fees in Unity Schools is unjustifiable, as it could potentially lead to a higher number of children dropping out of school." She urged the Federal Government to take decisive action to guarantee that every Nigerian child has access to basic education.
"The government should swiftly implement regulatory measures to compel private school operators to mitigate unnecessary financial burdens on parents, such as imposing costly fees for uniforms and related items.
"Furthermore, the government must work towards reducing the financial barriers to entry for public schools, as a multitude of families are unable to afford even basic enrollment fees."
She stressed that the government must uphold its commitment to providing free fundamental education for all in Nigeria.
The founder of IA-Foundation emphasized the necessity of enhancing educational standards in public schools and implementing effective communication strategies to counteract the prevalent negative perception surrounding education in these institutions.
In contrast, she commended the Federal Government for extending an invitation to IA-Foundation to participate in the recently concluded annual National Summit for NGOs Intervening in the Education Sector, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.
Participation in the summit has revitalized IA-Foundation's dedication to advocating for universal access to basic education for every Nigerian child, as highlighted by Adeagbo.
Operating from the southeastern city of Kent in England, IA-Foundation has fervently championed the cause of education in Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa.
UNESCO, a UN agency, highlights that Nigeria faces a significant challenge with a considerable number of out-of-school children, particularly young girls, who are unable to attend classrooms due to diverse obstacles, including poverty and banditry.
While its primary focus is on activities in South Western Nigeria, the organization, according to its founder, is actively striving to extend its initiatives to encompass other regions of the country.
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