Trending 
13th July 2026
Presidential hopeful and former African Action Congress (AAC) candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has vowed to make education free across all levels in Nigeria if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Sowore made the promise while speaking on his vision for Nigeria’s education sector, arguing that access to quality education should be regarded as a fundamental right rather than a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. He maintained that investing in education remains one of the most effective ways to tackle poverty, unemployment, insecurity and underdevelopment.
According to him, millions of Nigerian children remain out of school due to rising school fees, economic hardship and inadequate government investment in public education. He said his administration would prioritize increased funding for schools, improved infrastructure, recruitment of qualified teachers and better welfare packages for education workers.
The activist-turned-politician stressed that Nigeria possesses sufficient human and natural resources to finance quality education if public funds are managed transparently and waste in government spending is curtailed. He argued that redirecting resources from corruption and excessive governance costs would make free education achievable.
Sowore also promised to improve learning conditions in public primary, secondary and tertiary institutions by modernising classrooms, equipping laboratories, expanding digital learning opportunities and strengthening research in universities.
The proposal comes at a time when many Nigerian families are grappling with rising education costs, while several public tertiary institutions continue to face funding challenges. Student groups and education advocates have repeatedly called for increased government investment in the sector, warning that escalating costs are denying many young Nigerians access to quality education.
Although free education has remained a recurring campaign promise by politicians over the years, analysts say its successful implementation would require substantial financial resources, constitutional coordination with state governments, and sustained reforms to ensure quality is not compromised.
As political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gradually gather momentum, Sowore’s pledge is expected to spark renewed debate over the affordability, feasibility and long-term sustainability of tuition-free education in Nigeria.
