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Subsidy Removal: School Owners Groan, Seek FG’s Assistance
School owners in the country under the auspices of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) have cried out to the Federal Government to assist them in coping with the fallouts from the removal of fuel subsidy that has increased their cost of running their schools.
NAPPS made the call during a webinar held to find solutions to the high cost of running schools occasioned by the recent fuel subsidy removal.
The webinar was titled: “Government policies and resultant effects on private school administration: A case study on the removal of fuel subsidy.”
Addressing the participants, the National President of NAPPS, Chief Yomi Otubela, noted that the policy has far-reaching implications not only for private schools, but also for the education sector as a whole.
“Government policies have a profound impact on various aspects of our lives, and education is no exception. Private schools, in particular, play a crucial role in providing quality education and complementing the efforts of the government. They contribute significantly to the development of our nation’s human capital and shape the leaders of tomorrow.
“The decision to remove fuel subsidies has had undeniable repercussions on private school administration. Fuel is an essential commodity that affects transportation costs, energy expenses, procurement of goods and products, services and overall operational cost. As private schools heavily rely on transportation for students to commute and energy for day-to-day operations, any alteration in fuel prices inevitably affects their financial sustainability and, consequently, their ability to deliver quality education.
“The removal of fuel subsidy has had its ripple effect on private school administration. Transportation costs have soared, cost of goods and services have increased, forcing schools to reassess their budget allocations. This, in turn, has led to potential increases in tuition fees, placing an additional burden on parents already grappling with economic challenges. Moreover, the increased cost of fuel and other resources may lead to cutbacks in infrastructure development, teacher training programmes, and extracurricular activities, which are all vital components of a holistic educational experience,” he said.
While appealing to government for support, Otubela opined that there were limitations to how school owners could pass costs to parents and guardians without risking losing patronage.
He solicited government’s support in the areas of providing school buses on lease agreement models; sponsoring state and private teachers training; giving education grants to school teachers and administrators; opening of education banks to grant loans to teachers, school owners and parents at single digits, and approving tax holiday for teachers and schools.
He also charged private school administrators to adopt prudent financial management practices, explore alternative energy sources, and collaborate with each other to pool resources and expertise.
The Guest Speaker and Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr Bismarck Rewane, said education is critical to the social development of a country.
According to him, the lower a country spends on education, the more it would experience crisis-ridden economy and political instability.
On what are some of the consequences of the policy on schools, Rewane said default in the payment of fees by parents and guardians would be on the rise.
Listing the steps school owners need to take to cope, he suggested the outsourcing of some aspects of running schools like transportation of students.
“It is only bigger schools that may be able to afford running transport scheme for students. Schools can outsource such either on wet lease or dry lease. Schools should also embrace more of virtual learning, though that cannot replace physical learning hundred percent.
“Government should also give scholarship to students and the money involved paid directly to beneficiary schools directly before the term begins. The federal government should help private school owners and teachers . NAPPS should be part of the palliatives to be given by the government,” he said.
On the desirability or otherwise of the Federal Government securing $800 million loan from the World Bank, Rewane submitted that given the experience of Nigerians during the COVID-19 pandemic, handouts might not be the best.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.
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