Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, has announced January 2025 as the date the state will join those that offer free, compulsory basic education to its residents.

Many states throughout the federation have been operating the same model, but some of them adopt discriminatory practices that largely exclude non-indigenes. The model that Abia will operate will be extended to all residents, including indigenes, non-indigenes and even non-Nigerians, provided they reside in the state.

Otti is a strong advocate for the abolition of the State of Origin doctrine which relegates non-indigenes to second class citizens in most parts of a country that falsely pontificates “One Nigeria”. He had incurred the wrath of some local hard-liners when he appointed some non-indigenes as Mayors of some local government areas in October 2023.

Quality, inclusive education is number four out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, promoted by the United Nations, UN. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo launched the Universal Basic Education, UBE, on September 30, 1999 in pursuit of this noble objective. It involved partnership between the Federal and State governments to promote free and compulsory basic education from primary to Junior Secondary School, JSS III.

If this laudable programme were followed faithfully, Nigeria would not be having over 20 million Out of School, OOS, children, the highest in the world. While many countries pursued this goal with zest, most of our state governors only paid lip service to it, in addition to discriminating against non-indigenes.

We commend Governor Otti for this initiative, especially the factor of inclusion. Coming at a time that Abia State is already among the top five in national educational ratings, this scheme will completely mop up the residual OOS children, giving them a chance to find their place in the future.

Our leaders, most of whom came from humble backgrounds, got their breaks in life through quality education provided by past leaders. Unfortunately, some of them have abandoned the children of the poor and vulnerable to their fate. This worrisome trend is very pronounced in the North where the children of the poor roam the streets with begging bowls.

Indeed, many Northern leaders have for long weaponised “educational disadvantage” as a means of angling for more federal revenue allocation. This evil practice of neglecting the educational needs of poor children is chiefly responsible for the insecurity and terrorism being perpetrated by the once abandoned children who have now grown up.

The wisdom behind the adoption of the Basic Education scheme cannot be faulted. A citizenry freed from ignorance is the building block of rapid development. It also reinforces the culture of good and accountable governance and puts more power in the hands of the people.

We must adopt this model for all Nigerians.