Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has revealed that the state government would not reduce or reverse the new regime of tuition fees for students of Kaduna State University (KASU).

El-Rufai said this on Saturday at the fourth convocation of the university held at the Tafawa Balewa Way Main Campus.

He said the state needs an innovative mix of financing sources for tertiary education.

He said the need for this informed the State Executive Council approval of new tuition fees for all the state-owned tertiary institutions.

El-Rufai noted that he would support free education at the tertiary level only if the government can consistently provide the investments needed to deliver quality tertiary education.

He noted that we are no longer in the 1960s, 70s or 80s when the government practically delivered free tertiary education.

“So while the government guarantees free education for the first 12 years of education, up to the end of SS3, it has to adopt other options for funding tertiary education,” the governor said.

“The economic situation and the financial resources available to the government require that the government, parents and students come together to fund tertiary education.

“The government pleads for the understanding of parents and students to make this partnership work,” he said.

Students are now to pay between N300,000 and N400,000 per year, from N36,000.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said contrary to public opinion, the Nigerian education system is well funded considering the lean resources of the federal government.

Speaking at the book presentation of “Gamaliel Onosode Classicus, an Honourable Life” and discussion on “Harnessing Nigeria’s Greatest Resource: Growth through Education”, Gbajabiamila said the education sector is getting more funding than people acknowledge.

Gbajabiamila who noted that the resources of the government is currently lean, and what could be done is being done, said the funding of the sector is however not enough as it is still not up to the 23 per cent provision advised by UNESCO.

“When people see the funding of the education sector by the federal government of Nigeria, many look at the budget of the ministry of education, but education in Nigeria is funded beyond the ministry of education.

Many forget that there is the Universal Basic Education (UBEC), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), there is funding from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and there are interventions from constituency projects.

“When you put these interventions together we will be looking at a larger percentage of what the federal government is putting into education in Nigeria. That is not to say that it is enough because it is not close to the 23 per cent of UNESCO provision.

“But it is important not to isolate the ministry of education as to what government is spending on education. There are other areas and we will continue to provide opportunities to fund education. However we must understand that resources are lean and things are not how they used to be in terms of resources.”

In his goodwill message, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jone, urged the country to spend more on education and health rather than on fuel subsidy. Noting that universal healthcare and universal basic education has been the foundation of the development and growth in the United Kingdom over the last 500 years he said, “at a time of fiscal challenge it may be right to look again at expense and indeed fuel subsidy for example takes so much.

In her keynote address, the deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Pan African University, Lagos, Prof. Enase Okonedo, noted that there is a need for the curriculum used in all levels of education in the country to be revised as the current one being used has not been useful in turning out employable graduates.

Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wemi Jones, has called on well spirited individuals and organisations to support the funding of education in the state.

Jones made the call at the inauguration of the Inter-School Competition, sponsored by Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku Youth Empowerment Foundation (PAAYEF) held on Saturday at Our Lady of Schools Anyigba, for the Eastern Senatorial District.

The inter-school competition tagged ”Reviving the Glory of Education” was organised by PAAYEF to facilitate access to quality education and open opportunities for Kogi students.

The commissioner said that the inter-school competition sponsored by PAAYEF was quite a phenomenal in the history of education in the state.

“’We are glad that PAAYEF has responded to the call of government on individuals and organisations for private partnership in transforming the state’s education sector.

“Education is a social service that requires massive funding. The government is doing a lot but government alone cannot do it.

“I appeal to well spirited individuals in our society, especially those who have benefitted from education to come out and support us.

“We will be glad if people that have the resources would support us in things like this that will bring back the glorious days of education to our state”, he said.

Jones praised the governor for showing total commitment and dedication to the transformation of education in the state.

He expressed his excitement over the brilliant performance of the students at the competition, saying, ”I am extremely excited with what I have seen here today.

“It shows that what we need is just a little bit of push and we will get the best out of our students. I am excited with what has happened today.“

The Focal Person of PAAYEF, Hon. Sandra Musa, noted that the selected schools were those who had proved to be up to the task without any political influence.

Co-founder and Educational Development Director,  Abiola Chinyere Jane, has advised students to strive for excellence and remain focused in their academic pursuit. She said this at the 10th anniversary and graduation ceremony of Bijamic Schools, Badore Ajah Lagos.

The event with the theme: “Total Transformation” brought together several stakeholders in the education sector.

Abiola said young people affect the society globally, and that biggest changes happen when youths refuse to give up.

She urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the school; sustain reading habits and be law-abiding.

The special guest, Adeyemi Adebayo, Director Public Private Partnership, Lagos State Ministry of Education, disclosed that Lagos State government has continued to spearhead empowerment of global teachers and pupils, as it aspires to be a 21st century economy, by building quality workforce needed for the future.

He appealed to parents and schools authorities to embrace digital literacy and desist from raising children in the old fashion style, since they are breeds of the 21st century with digital orientations and for future digital jobs. “If we do not embrace technology, we will be outdated in a few years,” he said.

Adebayo explained that Lagos State is committed to equality, closing the gap between the rich and the poor, by ensuring access to quality education for all children.

Abiola Bolarinwa, Director Bijamic Schools, lauded parents, Parents/Teachers Association and others that have supported the school over the years, especially during the pre and post pandemic periods. He also appreciated professional teachers and non-teaching staff who have worked with the school over the years.