Stakeholders Advocate More Investment In Free Education For Less Privileged Children

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Aug, Fri, 2025

Education

Stakeholders advocate more investment in free education for less privileged children

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By EricJames Ochigbo

Some educationists have advocated increased private sector investment in free education for children of underserved communities in the country.

They made the call at the 2025 graduation ceremony of the Not Forgotten Initiative (NFI) School in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NFI operates in a makeshift structure where indigent children get free education, uniform and lunch and financed by private individuals and partners.

NAN gathered that the school was inaugurated in 2018 with 14 pupils and now has 109 pupils with seven classrooms, a library, a computer laboratory, music room, a hall, gents, among other facilities.

In an interview with NAN, the Founder of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, said that Nigeria needed thousands of such initiative where people will, on their own, invest in the future of Nigeria.

“What we get from the government is very little; she and her husband and the friends supporting, are taking responsibility for the future of Nigeria’s children.

“These children are very vulnerable and could easily join bandits, by taking them out of the streets, giving them good education to the extent that many get into Federal Government Colleges and feeding them, she is doing a fantastic job.

“I can only pray that God will help her sustain it and eventually government will give her a land so she can actually build a proper school for these children,” he said.

Also, Mr Ade Adedotun, a supporter of the initiative, said that government’s efforts alone was not enough to provide access to education for all through public schools.

He said that many parents cannot afford private schools hence the need for initiatives like NFI to carter to underserved communities.

“The NFI is an impact programme that helps support education of children from underserved background and I think it is really great what this school is doing.

“Many of these children would not have had access to quality education and yet education is such an important tool for social mobility.

“Irrespective of your background, if you have access to quality education, the tendencies are high that you will become a useful member of the society,” he said.

Ms Funke Abegunde, a U.S. certified educator, observed that though in NFI school the education is free, the standard was not only world class, but top notch in terms of curriculum, resources and well-trained teachers.

“The standard provides critical thinking, problem solving, technology literacy, socio-emotional and psycho-moral development.

“To our graduating pupils, I congratulate you all, today marks a milestone in your journey of learning and growth whether you are moving up the next class or stepping into the exciting world of secondary school.

“Be proud of how far you have come, remember that education is the key that opens many doors, and your hard work and determination have brought you this far.

“Keep believing in yourself, stay curious and never stop striving for excellence; the future is bright and this is just the beginning.

“The world is looking for multi-tasking, industrious and talented individuals to occupy space; the basic you acquire today is the foundation that will take you places and higher heights.

Some of the parents that spoke to NAN expressed their gratitude, while praying God to bless and sustain the school.

Mrs Clementina Dageyi, had this to say “I have two children here Peter and Paul, they are twins; I am very happy and enjoying what I see here; no one is more excited than I am right now.

“What the founder does for us, nobody could have done it for us; may God reward her for all that.

“At Easter, Christmas and Sallah festivities, she provides the children with cloths, she feeds them in school all day with balanced diet.

“We see our children, they are very healthy and clean and we are happy; may God cover her with more favours anywhere she goes,” she said.

Also, Ms Munirat Muhammed said that she was excited and very happy to see two of her wards in the school do so well.

Speaking on behalf of the graduands, Jason David, an eight-year-old and Zainab Mohammed, a nine-year-old, expressed gratitude to the teachers and founder of the school.

Earlier in her remarks, the Founder of NFI schools, Mrs Tosin Adeniyi, commended all the partners of the initiative for believing that every child carried a future worth investing in.

She said that giving the children access to quality education, dignity and hope, emphasised that every child is valuable and full of promises.

“As of this term, we have 111 pupils but two have relocated so we currently have 109 pupils enrolled in our primary school.

“We have 46 students on tuition only scholarships in secondary schools including 27 in Federal Government Colleges.

“We are proud to announce that six of our scholarship students have graduated from secondary school and have written their WAEC and JAMB; one just concluded his OND programme,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu

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