The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos State, Funsho Doherty, has pledged to make education genuinely free for all children in the state if elected governor in the 2027 governorship election.
Doherty made the commitment during the 2027 Lagos State governorship debate organised by Channels Television, TVC, Punch Newspapers, Vanguard Newspapers and The Cable on Sunday.
He said his administration would prioritise human development by expanding access to quality education, equipping residents with relevant skills and ensuring that financial difficulties do not prevent children from attending school.
According to him, the proposed education policy would go beyond the existing arrangements often described as free education, which he argued still leave parents and guardians responsible for several compulsory payments.
Doherty stressed that no child born in Lagos should be denied access to education simply because their parents cannot afford the associated costs.
He explained that his administration would remove financial barriers at different stages of the public education system, including examination fees and other charges that place additional pressure on low-income families.
“So, our policies are aimed at capacitating the people, giving them skills, ensuring that there is no child born in Lagos who does not get an education because their parents cannot afford it,” he said.
The NDC candidate added that his government would make education “truly free, not nominally free”, insisting that parents should not be asked to make payments before their children can sit for examinations.
“We have said we will make education truly free, not nominally free. Truly free, so people will not pay exam fees, they will not be asked to come and pay taxes at a point when they have to write their exams,” Doherty stated.
Beyond removing school-related charges, he also promised to introduce a daily feeding programme for pupils in public schools.
Under the proposed initiative, children would be provided with one affordable meal every school day, a measure he said would support their welfare and improve their learning experience.
The proposal reflects the growing emphasis on education, skills development and social welfare in the political debate ahead of the 2027 Lagos governorship election.
Doherty’s promises come at a time when many Nigerian households are struggling with rising living costs, making the expenses associated with children’s education increasingly difficult to manage.
For parents with multiple school-age children, costs such as examination fees, learning materials, transportation and feeding can constitute a significant financial burden, even where tuition is officially free.
However, implementing completely free education across Lagos State would require substantial government funding, adequate school infrastructure, sufficient teaching personnel and effective monitoring to ensure that schools do not introduce unofficial charges.
The proposed daily meal programme would also require a sustainable funding arrangement and transparent implementation to reach pupils across public schools.
Doherty’s performance at the debate and his policy proposals are expected to form part of the issues voters will consider as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 governorship election.
