The Lagos State Government has increased boarding fees in model colleges to N100,000 per term, citing improved student welfare as the reason.

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced an increase in boarding fees for its model colleges, effective from the 2024/2025 academic session.

According to a statement released by Mr Ganiu Lawal, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the adjustment is necessary to improve the welfare of students in public boarding schools across the state.

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Lawal explained that the N35,000 fee, which has been in place since 2021, is no longer sustainable due to rising costs.

The newly approved fee of N100,000 will be implemented from the resumption of the 2024/2025 session in September 2024.

The Ministry recognises that the decision has faced criticism from some parents but emphasised the importance of ensuring students’ welfare, including proper nutrition and other essential services such as energy costs for cooking.

The fees, paid every term, are allocated for feeding, janitorial services, and other costs necessary for maintaining the hostels.

Lawal highlighted the numerous benefits students in Lagos model colleges receive, including free tuition, education infrastructure, technology support, and payment of terminal examination fees, such as WAEC.

He added that the state government remains considerate with the increase when compared to similar institutions across Nigeria.

The Ministry urged parents to understand the rationale behind the increase and to cooperate for the benefit of the children.

Vice President Kashim Shettima announced plans to integrate technology into Nigeria’s education system to enhance learning outcomes, inspired by India’s success with KYAN smart class solutions.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that the Federal Government plans to integrate technology into Nigeria’s education system to improve learning outcomes.

During a meeting with the World Bank Nigeria team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima outlined the government’s commitment to addressing human capacity and resource challenges within the education sector.

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Shettima assured that President Bola Tinubu is dedicated to leveraging technological advancements to add value to the country.

He drew inspiration from India’s use of KYAN smart class solutions, which teach 50,000 pupils in rural areas, and expressed confidence that similar innovations could transform Nigeria’s education system.

“The integration of technology will significantly upgrade our education system,” Shettima said. He also stressed the need for a comprehensive education reform plan, including better infrastructure, teacher training, and technological implementation.

Shettima emphasized that the federal government is committed to driving these changes, but success will require the cooperation of all stakeholders, including state governors.

Dr. Ndiame Diop, World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, highlighted the bank’s focus on improving governance, health, and education through its HOPE series projects.

These initiatives aim to reform governance processes, primary healthcare, and education facilities across Nigeria, with an emphasis on human capital development.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund on Friday acknowledged receipt of N50bn from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

In a statement by NELFUND’s Head of Corporate Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the loan fund said it, “expressed its pleasure as it receives an additional N50 bn from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.”

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Oluwatuyi noted that the release followed the directive of President Bola Tinubu in his speech on August 4, 2024, directing the EFCC to transfer the funds to NELFUND to further boost the student loan programme.

“This significant injection of funds represents a major milestone in the administration’s commitment to bolstering access to education by providing financial support to students across Nigeria,” the statement noted.

The Fund thanked Tinubu for what it described as unwavering dedication to the education sector and his continued efforts to support the most vulnerable segments of the population.

“By deciding to allocate these funds to the student loan scheme, President Tinubu has once again demonstrated his visionary leadership and commitment to fostering a brighter future for Nigerian students and to the socioeconomic advancement of Nigeria,” the Fund said.

It also thanked the management of the EFCC headed by the Chairma, Olanipekun Olukoyede.

The implementation of the student loan scheme is Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector.

Barely a month after his inauguration as president, Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, which creates a legal framework for granting loans to indigent or low-income Nigerians to facilitate the payment of their fees in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The law, reenacted earlier this year, created the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

NELFUND is saddled with the responsibility of handling all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.

The Fund, according to the act, is to be funded from multiple streams and will engage in other productive activities.