LGs’ autonomy will boost Nigeria’s universal Basic Education System

• 2024-08-16
• School Admin
• Education

 

Vice President Kashim Shettima said Thursday the Supreme Court judgment granting full financial autonomy to local government councils would enhance Nigeria’s universal basic education system.

The vice president said this during the public presentation of a book, “Navigating the Politics of Universal Education Policies in Nigeria,” written by former deputy governor of Ekiti state, Professor Modupe Adelabu and held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.

 

He said the autonomy of local governments, which are directly responsible for providing primary education, would address the financial limitations that have hindered the alignment of administrative units with the government’s educational agenda.

The vice president said the on-going reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would address inadequacies and ideologies frustrating universal education in the country.

“As stewards of the nation, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is leading the charge to reform the institutions tasked with overcoming the ideologies and inadequacies that have frustrated universal education in Nigeria.

“The lack of autonomy of local governments, which are responsible for delivering primary education, has created significant financial hindrances in aligning administrative units with our educational agenda.

“However, the recent Supreme Court judgement empowering local government councils to control their resources brings government closer to the people. It provides new hope for our educational initiatives,” he said.

He urged government at all levels to focus on policies that empower “those at the forefront of implementing initiatives that inspire interest in education.”

He said President Tinubu’s decision to establish the Student Loan Scheme in the country was to secure the future of Nigerian children.

 

“The initiative ensures that every student has access to loans to pay their tuition, and the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has already recorded an overwhelming number of applications. This is a landmark achievement, signalling the bright future we are building for our youth.

“Beyond making education universally free, our experience shows that incentivising is the most practical gateway before us. This is why all of us, across all levels and branches of government, must join this campaign to educate the nation.

“The realities inherited by the Tinubu administration “are such that demand urgent action to ensure that education is not only accessible but also desirable for every Nigerian child, fostering long-term national development.

“Many primary and secondary school-age children are still not attending or completing their education, and a large portion of the youth population lacks basic literacy skills, with notable gender disparities. This is what we must overcome,” he said.

The vice president commended the author of the book for providing answers to some of the most pressing challenges confronting policymakers.

“The book will undoubtedly inspire informed conversations around the state and future of education in Nigeria.

“As both a theorist and a practitioner in our education sector, Professor Adelabu’s insights are borne out of experience and passion, and I believe this book will serve as a critical resource for all who seek to improve our educational landscape,” he said.

Also spesking, Governor Biodun Oyebanyi of Ekiti state praised Professor Adelabu’s contributions to Nigerian educational development and society,” the governor said.