The Old Students Association of Federal Government College (FGC), Ilorin, 1996 Set Alumni, has warned the Federal Government against any policy that could lead to the privatisation or transfer of Federal Unity Colleges to private interests, saying such a move could undermine equal access to quality and affordable education.

 

President of the association, Barrister Chukwuyere Izuogu, said privatising the schools could place them beyond the reach of children from low-income families and defeat the fundamental purpose for which Federal Unity Colleges were established.

 

Izuogu, an attorney-at-law, spoke on Friday in Ilorin during the association’s reunion and inauguration of projects donated to the college by members of the 1996 set.

 

His comments followed concerns raised by the Director-Principal of the college, Dr. Agbo Paul, over reports that the Federal Government may consider handing over the management of some Federal Unity Colleges to alumni associations or private interests.

 

Izuogu said such a development would be detrimental to children from economically disadvantaged families who rely on the affordable and quality education provided by the Unity Schools.

 

“Any such move will totally deprive children of low-income earners in our society of education,” he said.

 

According to him, the alumni association arrived at its position after carefully considering the possible consequences of transferring the management or ownership of the schools to private interests.

 

He stressed that while alumni associations should be encouraged to support their former schools through donations and development projects, such contributions should not translate into ownership or control of institutions established to provide equal educational opportunities for Nigerian children.

 

Izuogu specifically referenced concerns surrounding reported moves involving King’s College, Lagos, noting that the development had reinforced his opposition to privatisation.

 

He said, “He has raised a very valid point. I am aware that the King’s College Old Boys Association proposed taking over the school, but once private interests become dominant, many indigent students may no longer have access to such opportunities.”

 

Drawing from his personal experience, Izuogu said the affordability and national character of FGC Ilorin played a major role in giving him access to quality education despite coming from another part of Nigeria.

 

He recalled that he travelled from Warri, Delta State, to attend FGC Ilorin, a school he had never previously visited, largely because of the affordability of its education.

 

“One of the reasons I left Warri, in Delta State, to attend FGC Ilorin, a place I had never visited before, was because the education here was affordable. At that time, our major expenses were simply academic books.”

 

He described the national spread of the Unity Schools as one of their greatest strengths, saying the institutions bring together students from different parts of the country and provide them with opportunities to receive quality education regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds.

 

“One of the greatest strengths of Unity Schools is that they provide equal opportunities for students from every part of Nigeria. Personally, I do not support privatisation because it could deny many young Nigerians the opportunity that shaped our own future. We want everyone to continue benefiting from this system,” he said.

 

Earlier, the Director-Principal of FGC Ilorin, Dr. Agbo Paul, appealed to the Federal Government to preserve the existing ownership structure of the Federal Unity Colleges.

 

Paul argued that privatisation could undermine the role of the institutions in providing affordable education to children from different socio-economic backgrounds.

 

“It was recently reported that the Honourable Minister of Education had approved the request by King’s College old students to take over the management of their school. That report generated widespread reactions because Federal Unity Schools remain among the few institutions in Nigeria that provide quality and affordable education for children from different socio-economic backgrounds,” he said.

 

He warned that allowing private operators to take control of the schools could result in increased school fees and make them inaccessible to many families.

 

“If these schools are privatised, education may become unaffordable for many parents because private operators are primarily driven by profit. School fees would inevitably rise beyond the reach of many families. We therefore appeal to the Federal Government not to privatise the Unity Schools,” Paul added.

 

Beyond the policy debate, the reunion was marked by the unveiling of several projects executed by the Class of 1996 as part of efforts to give back to the institution that shaped their lives.

 

The projects included two solar-powered borehole systems designed to improve water supply in the boys’ and girls’ hostels, three 3D printing machines to support technology education and innovation, as well as sports kits for students.

 

Explaining the motivation behind the intervention, Izuogu said members of the class regarded the projects as a responsibility to their alma mater.

 

“We are here to give back to the educational institution that made us who and what we are today. Many of us travelled from different parts of the world to be here.

 

“The idea of this reunion had been on for many years. Returning today to give back to the school is deeply emotional because FGC Ilorin remains an integral part of who we are,” he said.

 

He explained that the borehole projects were designed to provide a more sustainable water supply to both hostels, while the three 3D printing machines, donated with the support of a United States-based alumnus, Mr. Shola Adekanyin, would expose students to emerging manufacturing technologies.

 

“These machines will encourage creativity by allowing students to transform ideas into practical products, from simple designs to more advanced innovations. We believe this will broaden their learning experience and inspire them to become problem-solvers,” Izuogu said.

 

Receiving the projects on behalf of the school, Paul commended the alumni for returning decades after graduation to contribute to the development of their alma mater.

 

He described the gesture as an example worthy of emulation, stressing that government alone could not meet all the needs of educational institutions.

 

“It is always a thing of joy when former students remember the school that nurtured them and return to give back. The government alone cannot adequately cater for all the needs of our schools.

 

“Parents, alumni associations, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders must continue to support educational development,” he said.

 

Chairman of the reunion planning committee, Oherein Enahoro, disclosed that the projects were conceived about six years ago but were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other logistical challenges.

 

According to him, the association initially planned to install solar-powered streetlights at the school but later identified inadequate water supply as a more pressing challenge.

 

The association subsequently opted to rehabilitate existing boreholes, convert them to solar-powered systems and install overhead tanks with multiple water outlets.

 

The Financial Secretary of the association, Bashir Ahmad, said the class deliberately selected projects capable of producing long-term benefits for students.

 

He urged the students to remain committed to their studies and avoid activities that could jeopardise their future.

 

Also speaking, a physically challenged member of the association, Abdulqodir Suleiman, appealed to the Federal Government to sustain policies that guarantee affordable access to quality education for children living with disabilities.

 

Suleiman, who described his own experience as evidence of the transformative impact of Unity Schools, said affordable access to such institutions could change the trajectory of young Nigerians from disadvantaged backgrounds.

 

The reunion therefore ended on a dual note: a call for the Federal Government to preserve the public character and affordability of Federal Unity Colleges, and a demonstration by former students that alumni can play a significant role in strengthening the institutions without necessarily taking ownership or control of them.