For many Nigerians, the mention of free education brings back memories of a time when Chief Obafemi Awolowo's bold vision made education accessible to all, especially in the Western Region. It was an era when children didn’t have to worry about tuition fees, and education felt like a birthright.
Fast forward to today, however, and that dream of completely free education seems like a distant memory.
But things changed and became interesting under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope initiative.
While free education may not be the norm anymore, the introduction of the Student Loan Initiative gives hope to thousands of Nigerian students who face the harsh reality of tuition fees and financial struggles.
This initiative, which falls under the broader Renewed Hope vision, aims to provide students with government-backed loans to fund their studies. It’s not exactly the “free education” of old, but it’s a crucial step toward making education accessible, even when resources are tight.
It’s a refreshing move by the federal government, showing that they’re serious about tackling the financial barriers to education.
This student loan initiative means that those who want to go to school won’t be left behind or forced to drop out just because they can’t afford the fees. It’s a big deal for the future of Nigeria’s youth.
That said, while the federal government is making strides, there’s still room for the states to step up.
If the federal government can take such bold steps, then state governments should also rethink how they can make education accessible again. A renewed focus on free education at the state level would go a long way in ensuring that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to learn, regardless of their financial background.
In an interview with the member of the House of Representatives representing the people of Oredo Federal Constituency in Edo State, Honourable Esosa Iyawe, who has always supported student communities nationwide, he spoke with All Campus Show.
Hon. Iyawe lauded the efforts of President Tinubu concerning the improvement of education in Nigeria. In his words, he said: "Education is the light of society; no society can be better without investing in her education, and this is the reason why we must commend our president, Bola Tinubu. We have the best brains among our students in Nigeria, and our president is smart to empower students for global use."
Hon. Iyawe, therefore, said the student loan initiative is a way of bringing back free education, something past administrations failed to consider. He gave kudos to the president on this initiative and advised students to take advantage of this rare opportunity, which was unavailable in past administrations. “Come on, Nigerian students, we don’t need to be told they are the best in the world. We see how they are preferred in foreign lands. This student loan initiative by the president is a modern form of free education that encourages more students to be better and be useful, positively, for society and the world at large. The president has more in him, and he will deliver Nigeria, making it a great nation among others,” Hon. Iyawe concluded.
Moreover, All Campus Show spoke with students who are beneficiaries. Cyril Osagie, a Lagos State University student, told our correspondent that the platform is a good development, but the people in charge should make it more accessible to students. Cyril said: "I have not been able to sign in, but I know of my friends who are beneficiaries, both in my school and other schools. It’s a good initiative by the president, and we appreciate it."
It’s an exciting time for Nigerian education, and while we’re not quite back to the days of completely free schooling, the Renewed Hope initiative is a step in the right direction. With the right moves, the dream of free education could be closer than we think.