Nigeria: Buhari to offer free university education in science, technology

Latest Africa report going around is that of Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, whose administration is really determined to make a change for a better Nigeria, by offering free university education in the field of science, technology and education, among other remarkable changes for the betterment of the economy. All of which are in accordance with Nigeria’s national budget 2016, labeled ‘the budget of change‘.

About Buhari’s Free University Education for Nigerian Youths.

Buhari’s Budget of Change

During the presentation of what he termed ‘budget of change’, President Muhammadu Buhari declared free tertiary education in the field of education, technology and science; which is in accordance with Nigeria’s 2016 budget.
The section of the Nigeria national budget of change which made mentioned of public primary school feeding and free education for science, technology and education students in tertiary institutions, is covered in the “Laying the Foundation for Sustainable Growth” section of the 2016 budget, No. 25.

“25. Furthermore, through the office of the Vice President, we are working with various development partners to design an implementable and transparent conditional cash transfer program for the poorest and most vulnerable. This program will be implemented in phases. Already, the compilation of registers of the poorest persons is ongoing. In the coming weeks, we will present the full programme, which will include our home-grown public primary school feeding and free education for science, technology and education students in our tertiary institutions. Indeed, this will mark a historic milestone for us as a nation.” —President Buhari, #Budget2016

According to Dr Ungogo studying at University of Glasgow, this single act has shown readiness of Nigerian government to steer the battered country in to path of liberation and sustainable development. From stone-age to renaissance, enlightenment to modern era, education (or philosophy or knowledge as generally referred), science and technology have served as barometer of personal and nation’s developments. Advanced countries reached where they are because of science (and technology) and in most, citizens are assured free education or motivated and provided with means to pay by themselves with ease.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari while presenting the 2016 fiscal year budget assured there will be free education for science, technology and education students in tertiary institutions. The president stressed that this would indeed mark a historic milestone for Nigeria as a nation.
“Through the office of the Vice President, we are working with various development partners to design an implementable and transparent conditional cash transfer program for the poorest and most vulnerable.”
“This program will be implemented in phases. Already, the compilation of registers of the poorest persons is ongoing.”
“In the coming weeks, we will present the full programme which will include our home-grown public primary school feeding and free education for science, technology and education students in our tertiary institutions.”
“Indeed, this will mark a historic milestone for us as a nation”, President Buhari said.”

Nigeria’s national budget of 2016 year was presented by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 22, Tuesday. The budget is worth N6.08 trillion naira.
Following the announcement of free university education in the 2016 budget, some have expressed concerns on the quality of the proposed free education. With one Dr Marzuq Ungogo studying at University of Glasgow, United Kingdom–writing the following piece regarding the status quo:

“Basic education in public schools has been free in Nigeria since independence and the issue has either been quality or access. Many rural areas have no schools while where there are schools, parents are not motivated enough to send their wards to schools due to poverty, lack of awareness or both. Lack of adequate qualified teachers and facilities will be rated as the major reasons behind poor quality education. The N369.6 billion budgeted to Education if not stolen, will address to a large extent the issue of facilities, school feeding will boost enrollment while the 500,000 graduates the President promised to engage will also help in reducing the shortage of qualified teachers in the coming financial year.”

Let us hope the Buahri administration will deliver and not disappoint Nigerians with the free university education in science, technology and of course education. The move has lots of potentials; especially increasing literacy, scientific and technological advancement in the country.