For some time, Ive been trying to unravel the unstated reasons behind the recent ill-advised astronomical increase in the tuition fees of the Lagos State University, Ojo. About two weeks ago, Governor Babatunde Fashola, in consultation with the State Executive Council, reviewed LASUs tuition fees from N25,000 to between N190,000 and N348,000, depending on the course. This, in a state listed by the Federal Government as one of the "educationally disadvantaged."The educational disadvantage was probably the reason the state had to shop for its "educated workforce," including commissioners from the other south-western states.But then, Fashola is a 1987 alumnus of the University of Benin, and he obviously enjoyed free education (zero tuition) in the Nigerian university system of that era.When Fashola became governor, I expected him to concentrate on transforming Lagos State from a bastion of hooligans and lawlessness to a state where meaningful education matters most, bearing in mind Platos argument that "if education is neglected, it matters little what else the state does." In modern times, Nigerian leaders have concentrated too much on politics, to the detriment of education. The result is the fallen standard of education, with the attendant negative effects on the economy.Chief Obafemi Awolowo was convinced to introduce free and compulsory state-run education after reading Platos Republic, where Plato enunciated a compact and comprehensive state-directed scheme of compulsory education for Athenian citizens in ancient Greece 17 centuries ago. Awo was a bookworm, a workaholic and a visionary avatar whose footprints are still visible in the nations political setting, more than two decades after his demise.Since our governor is a learned man, we might as well draw his attention to certain philosophical trends that shaped the developed world and gave them the edge they have over lesser nations.Plato contends that "if the citizens are well educated, they will readily see through the difficulties that beset them and meet emergencies as they arise." This is what Nigeria needs in this desperate time of her national history.The Greek philosopher also believes that education is the positive means by which the ruler can shape human nature in the right direction to produce a harmonious state, as did the late American President John F. Kennedy, who noted, "Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education."Another great philosopher, Horace Mann, writes that: "A human being is not in any proper sense human till he is educated." British parliamentarian and statesman, Peter Broughman, also contends that "education makes people easy to lead but difficult to drive; easy to govern but impossible to enslave."Aristotle, who was the most outstanding student of Plato, expresses it more bluntly when he writes, "Educated men are as much superior to uneducated men as the living are to the dead." This being the case therefore, the present state of education in Lagos State is no longer acceptable.The Lagos State Government must realise that such an astronomical increase in tuition fees will only keep the students at home and worsen the crime rate in the state. In the short term, politicians in the state will continue to win elections with these uneducated masses; but in the long run, they will make Lagos State ungovernable through violence, which is the only language they have been taught tuition-free.Pray, how does the Fashola administration expect a parent who earns a minimum wage of N18,000 per month to pay tuition of N348,000 (in case of medical students) per session' Even then, most state governments have not accepted to pay the slave wage of N18,000 as advised by the Federal Government!With official internally-generated revenue of N18bn monthly and additional N6bn monthly federal allocation, should it be so difficult for Lagos to subsidise tertiary education' In Lagos State, nothing is free. You will get the rudest shock of your life when you attempt to use a toilet at Alausa Secretariat or in any Lagos State designated office. I was once told at the Alausa Secretariat by a policeman after protesting the toilet fee: "My friend, pay your money. Did you suppose this is Freetown' Nothing is free here o!"The state administration must realise that the people are entitled to some social benefits from the government. And these include education, housing, water, and good roads. Now that education and housing are for the rich only, Governor Fashola must resist the pressure to do Father Christmas with Lagos State taxpayer funds, especially when it comes to consolidating party positions in all the states of the federation in general, and South-West in particular. The governor must also realise that most Lagosians are unemployed, unempowered and poor. I therefore specifically appeal to Governor Fashola to declare tertiary institutions in Lagos State tuition-free, as I am convinced that the state government has enough funds to turn its only university into another Harvard, especially if the billions spent to expand the radius of the political party is downsized.Thomas, a social critic, wrote from 17, Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos.
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