Abstract

Ige Akindele, M.

The issue of whether education should be free or not for all citizens in Nigeria has been contentious. Many people are contending that because education is a social service, which is meant to eradicate illiteracy, ensures comfortable living of the citizens, as well as the development of the country, it should be provided free for all citizens. The need for equity and egalitarianism, looming poverty, low manpower/literacy level in the country, also lend credence to this. Many are also arguing that education should not be free on the basis that anything that is free lacks quality. The parlous state of the country’s economy, perceived falling standard of education, unsatisfied admission demand into tertiary institutions, looming unemployment, as well as inadequate human, material and financial resources, are supportive of this argument. Against this backdrop, this paper examines the concept of free education and its background in Nigeria, the arguments in its favour and those against its adoption. It concludes by recommending measures such as the provision of scholarships and bursaries to pupils/students, introduction of minimal fee in educational institutions as a way of sharing the cost of education with Government, reaching out to international charity organizations to alleviate the burden of education provision by government and uplift the status of education in Nigeria. In the course of this paper however, information and data were gathered from literature to describe the concept and support the arguments raised.