The Child Rights Advocacy Group (CRAG-04) of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) has joined forces with parents, stakeholders, and well-meaning Nigerians to demand that the Lagos State government immediately reverse its decision to increase boarding fees for all Lagos State Boarding Schools by over 200%.

The recent increase, announced on September 13 by the Lagos State Ministry of Education, raises boarding fees from N35,000 to N100,000 per term, resulting in an average annual cost of N300,000+ for boarding facilities alone, excluding other fees. This drastic hike has sparked concerns about the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, with CRAG-04 warning that this decision could further exacerbate the crisis.

Nigeria currently holds the unfortunate title of having the world’s highest number of out-of-school children, with over 18.3 million facing an uncertain future due to leadership failures, according to UNICEF 2023 data. The South-West region, including Lagos, accounts for over 25% of these statistics, with a 15% drop-out rate across primary and secondary schools.

CRAG-04 has been actively working to address this issue through initiatives like “Safe Children Safe Future,” which provided educational resources and support to over 1,000 primary school students in Lagos and Abuja during the first and second quarters of 2024.

The group is now calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu to intervene and reverse the policy, urging the state to invest more in education rather than adding to the financial burden on families. Parents have also threatened a “No Reversal – No Resumption” stance if the governor fails to act promptly.

CRAG-04 emphasizes that quality education is a fundamental pillar of the United Nations’ 17 SDG goals and that Lagos State, as a center for excellence, must prioritize inclusive and equitable educational opportunities for all. The group’s motto, “Safe Children Safe Future,” underscores the importance of protecting the well-being and education of Nigeria’s future generations.