Professor Adeniyi Olatunbosun, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Vice-Chancellor of KolaDaisi University (KDU), Ibadan, has declared that no system can sustain free education at all levels. According to him, while basic education should be accessible to all, expecting tertiary education to be entirely free is unrealistic.
“All over the world, education is not totally free. Even when the government provides subsidies, there are still other costs to be covered,” Olatunbosun stated. “The idea that tertiary education should be entirely free is a misconception because no government has the financial resources to sustain such a system indefinitely.”
He highlighted the challenges of education funding in Nigeria, noting that the government currently allocates approximately 7-8% of its annual budget to education, which is far below the 15% recommended by the United Nations. “If education were to be free at all levels, it would require 100% government funding. The reality is that no system can sustain that,” he said.
Speaking on the role of private institutions, he explained that they help bridge the gap, but financial sustainability remains a challenge. “Tuition fees alone cannot meet operational needs. Without alternative funding sources, universities will struggle to maintain quality education,” he noted.
Olatunbosun also pointed out disparities in educational demand across states, making universal free education even more difficult. “Some states have a much higher number of students seeking education, while others have fewer. This makes equitable funding a complex issue. Every government must work within its financial realities,” he said.
He described KDU’s growth in recent years, stating that student enrollment has risen from 32 in its early years to over 300, with projections of reaching 650 soon. “We have expanded our faculties to include Law and Basic Medical Sciences. This has given students more opportunities and strengthened our academic offerings,” he stated.
He also spoke on international collaborations that have benefited the university. “We have partnered with universities in Europe and America. One of our faculty members, Dr. Akanni, recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Oxford University. Such collaborations improve our academic standard and global recognition,” he said.
On the future of education funding, Olatunbosun emphasized that sustainable models must be prioritized over the unrealistic pursuit of free education. “Quality education requires investment. Policymakers must seek innovative funding solutions such as scholarships and strategic partnerships. Free education may sound appealing, but economic realities show that it is not feasible,” he concluded.
