FG, States Gats Provide Free Schooling, Lagos Court Don Talk

Federal High Court for Lagos don rule say Federal Government, di 36 states, and di Federal Capital Territory get legal duty to provide free, compulsory, and universal basic education for all pikin wey dey primary and junior secondary school age. Justice Daniel Osiagor deliver di judgement on 9 October 2025 after human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and Hauwa Mustapha file di case on behalf of demself and di Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond. Di court yarn say Section 11(2) of di Universal Basic Education Act dey bind all respondents to guarantee free basic education for dia areas. Justice Osiagor talk say any state wey wan participate must follow Section 11(2) by putting 50% counterpart funds before dem fit draw from di Universal Basic Education Fund, but failure to draw di fund no mean say dem dey break law.

Di court still approve say di applicants get right to take di case (locus standi), and say social rights case no need proof of personal injury. Justice Osiagor talk say di right to basic education don become enforceable law through di UBE Act. Sections 2(1) and 11(2) of di Act put legal duty on FG, states, and FCT to make sure say basic education dey free and compulsory. However, di law no dey punish states if dem no pay di 50% counterpart funds or no access di N68bn Universal Basic Education Fund. Court resolve di first two issues in favour of di applicants, but di third issue  failure to draw from di fund  dem say no be illegal.