The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged former military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to allocate the N17 billion earmarked for constructing a Presidential Library toward building new schools and renovating existing ones to expand access to education in Niger State.
The student body noted that Niger State lags in education and is known for its high number of out-of-school children, with over 40 percent of school-age children roaming the streets. They argued that establishing new schools and renovating dilapidated ones would increase enrollment and retention rates in the state.
The National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NANS, Comrade Samson Ajasa Adeyemi, conveyed the students’ views in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
Adeyemi emphasized that while NANS is not against the construction of public libraries, which provide access to learning materials and boost literacy rates, Niger State had over 700,000 out-of-school children as of 2022, requiring substantial resources to address the crisis.
NANS also advocated for improved security measures to prevent the invasion of schools and the kidnapping of students across campuses.
The statement read in part:
“We commend General Babangida for his effort in documenting his time in office as a military Head of State. This documentary will undoubtedly contribute to our national history.
“In the book’s introduction, General Babangida stated that its purpose is to give Nigerian youths the opportunity to ‘write their own judgment on various stages of our national history.’
“For those of us who have read through chapters of the book, we acknowledge its value in providing insights into key events that shaped our nation, particularly the transition to civil rule, which was abruptly terminated.
“However, as a student body, we find it necessary to call General Babangida’s attention to the need to redirect the billions of naira donated for the construction of a Presidential Library toward renovating schools—from primary to tertiary—that are in a state of disrepair in Niger State.
“We believe this would significantly increase student enrollment and retention rates in the state. After all, what is the essence of having a library of such value in a state where 40 percent of primary school-age children are out of school—far above the national average of 22 percent?
“General Babangida will agree that the rising number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the North, is a ticking time bomb. If left unaddressed, this crisis will have dire consequences for our country.
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“For this reason, we call on the General to reconsider his plan to build a Presidential Library and instead invest in eradicating illiteracy by using the funds to construct new schools and rehabilitate existing ones in the state. By doing so, he would be making a meaningful contribution toward solving this critical problem.
“We recognize the importance of public and private libraries in Nigeria. Expanding access to learning materials through library construction will undoubtedly boost literacy rates. However, allocating N17 billion to a single library—especially given the alarming illiteracy rate in Niger State—is not justifiable. It would have been a different case if the library were to be spread across multiple locations within the state. We urge General Babangida to reconsider this decision to ensure the funds are used more effectively.
“According to the United Nations, education is the foundation of every society. It is the single best investment any nation can make to build a prosperous, healthy, and equitable society,” NANS stated.
The student body also called on the government and stakeholders to assist in addressing the out-of-school crisis, stressing that uneducated children are easily recruited by criminals.
Adeyemi further urged all levels of government to implement well-planned mass education programs to create a knowledge-driven society.
“Given the alarming rate at which our colleagues are being kidnapped on campuses, the government must prioritize security across the country. Schools must be safe so that education remains a priority,” he added.
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