Prof Ekundayo urges FG to invest in children’s education in Nigeria

A Professor of Family Law at the University of Ibadan (UI), Osifunke Ekundayo, has urged governments at all levels to prioritise investment in children’s education, describing it as one of the most critical pillars for Nigeria’s long-term economic development.

Delivering her inaugural lecture titled ‘Speaking up for the numerous voiceless children shut out-of-school in Nigeria: An endless odyssey?’ at the university, Ekundayo decried the rising number of out-of-school children, particularly in Northern Nigeria, which she said reflects a pattern of systemic exclusion.

She argued that educating children is not just a moral or social obligation but a constitutional responsibility, adding that the failure to provide basic education constitutes a violation of children’s customary and human rights.

“Primary education should not be seen as optional. It is the responsibility of the state to make it available, accessible, acceptable, and adaptable for every Nigerian child,” she said.

The law professor stressed that quality education is central to addressing human rights abuses and ensuring that no child is left behind. She called for urgent recognition and enforcement of children’s right to education, both in policy and practice.

According to Ekundayo, poverty remains a leading factor behind the inability of many children to complete primary education in Nigeria. She advocated for a constitutional amendment to embed the right to free and compulsory basic education, empowering citizens to seek judicial redress when the right is denied.

“For Nigeria to meet international human rights standards on education, the state must not only recognise the right constitutionally but also commit adequate resources to actualise it,” she said.

She also urged the government to demonstrate political will by establishing a sustainable financing framework to guarantee access to quality education for every child, regardless of socio-economic background.

Ekundayo emphasised that access to education is essential for national growth, warning that denying children quality learning opportunities undermines their ability to reach their full potential and hinders the country’s development.