Vice President Kashim Shettima has lauded the recent Supreme Court ruling granting full financial autonomy to local government councils, asserting that it will significantly enhance Nigeria’s universal basic education system.
Speaking at the launch of Professor Modupe Adelabu’s book, “Navigating the Politics of Universal Education Policies in Nigeria,” in Abuja, Shettima emphasized that local governments, which are responsible for primary education, have long faced financial constraints that have hindered educational progress.
“The recent judgement brings government closer to the people and offers new hope for our educational initiatives,” Shettima stated.
He highlighted ongoing reforms by President Bola Tinubu’s administration aimed at addressing systemic inadequacies in education, noting the “urgent action” needed to ensure every Nigerian child has access to quality education.
“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,” Shettima said.
He pointed out that the lack of local government autonomy had created significant financial challenges in aligning administrative units with the nation’s educational goals. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling now empowers local councils to control their resources, bringing government closer to the people and revitalizing educational efforts.
According to a statement from his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President also discussed the establishment of the Student Loan Scheme, which aims to provide financial support for students. He noted that the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has already seen a surge in applications.
“The initiative ensures that every student has access to loans to pay their tuition, and the Nigeria Education Loan Fund has already recorded an overwhelming number of applications,” Shettima remarked. “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.”
Shettima acknowledged the challenges facing the education sector, including the staggering number of out-of-school children, particularly girls. He urged all levels of government to prioritize policies that empower local educators and inspire interest in education.
He noted that the realities inherited by the Tinubu administration 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 added.
The book’s author, Professor Modupe Adelabu, called for a comprehensive reevaluation of Nigeria’s education system to better prepare children for both local and global challenges. “We need to focus on values like democracy and good governance, not just academics,” she stated.
The event also featured remarks from Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji and other dignitaries, who praised Adelabu’s contributions to educational development. Former Minister of Youths and Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, emphasized the need to distinguish between school attendance and quality education, while former First Lady of Ekiti State, Bisi Fayemi, highlighted the urgent need for gender-specific policies to address the high number of out-of-school girls in Nigeria.
