The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Funsho Doherty, has pledged to abolish examination fees and other school-related charges in Lagos State as part of his proposed plan to make education completely free if elected in 2027.
Doherty said his proposed education policy would ensure that no child is prevented from attending or completing school because of their parents’ financial circumstances.
He made the pledge on Sunday during the 2027 Lagos State governorship debate, where candidates outlined their plans for addressing major challenges facing the state.
The NDC candidate argued that the existing arrangement of free education did not fully remove the financial burden on parents, noting that families still had to meet certain expenses, including examination fees.
He maintained that free education should cover more than tuition, insisting that children should not be required to make additional payments at critical stages of their schooling.
“We have said we will make education truly free, not nominally free. Truly free, so people will not pay exam fees,” Doherty said.
Beyond removing school-related charges, he proposed introducing a feeding programme in public schools to provide pupils with one affordable meal daily.
He said the proposed measures would form part of a broader human development agenda aimed at equipping young people with education and relevant skills to improve their opportunities and quality of life.
Doherty’s proposals place the cost of schooling, access to basic education and pupils’ welfare at the centre of his campaign promises ahead of the 2027 election.
However, the proposed policy would require details on how the state would finance the removal of examination charges, sustain the feeding programme and ensure that public schools have the resources needed to deliver quality education.
