The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has declared that education is not free anywhere in the world, emphasizing that both federal and state governments cannot afford to provide qualitative education at the scale required to meet current and future needs.

Gbajabiamila made this assertion on Tuesday while delivering the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) annual lecture titled "Interrogating the Funding of Education: Global Versus Nigerian Perspectives" in Osogbo.

"Nothing is ever free, least of all education," Gbajabiamila stated. He referenced the 2024 federal budget analysis by the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), which shows an allocation of N2.18 trillion to education, yet noted that this sum "falls far short of what is required" for Nigerian universities to operate at the same level as their counterparts across Africa and worldwide.

While acknowledging education as a fundamental human right, Gbajabiamila emphasized its role in opening doors to other rights. "I have long believed that investing in people by providing opportunities for education and skills acquisition not only changes the individual's life but also offers the best possibility of transformational impact on the wellbeing of our society," he said.

The Presidential Chief of Staff disclosed that the number of universities in Nigeria remains insufficient to meet the demands of the country's young and growing population. He challenged public universities to enhance their international profiles to attract foreign students willing to pay higher fees, noting that "the financial contributions of international students are a significant revenue stream for universities worldwide."

Gbajabiamila also called for zero tolerance to harassment and victimization in higher institutions of learning.

In his remarks, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke commended the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as a crucial initiative to ensure Nigerians have unbroken access to quality tertiary education.

"We must continue to rally support for our President as he strives daily to right the wrongs of the past that had caused hunger and poverty for the country," Governor Adeleke said. He urged governors in the Southwest to support President Tinubu's administration and encouraged students from the region to maximize the opportunities provided by NELFUND.

The Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Professor Clement Adebooye, reinforced Gbajabiamila's position, stating that "education is not free anywhere in the world because somebody somewhere must pay for teaching and learning to generate education."

Prof. Adebooye emphasized the importance of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and urged the Federal Government to consider the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) proposal to enhance the quality of the university system. He also appealed for improvements in lecturers' salaries.