NIGERIA’S EDUCATION CRISIS: 50% STUDENTS STRUGGLE WITH SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT AS FAMILIES RESORT TO DADALOWA

BY
CHINEDU NSOFOR

In a country grappling with one of the highest rates of out-of-school children globally, innovative solutions like Dadalowa are providing a lifeline to families and schools. Founded by Segun Jerome, a visionary entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience across the banking, media, education, and technology sectors, Dadalowa is revolutionizing education financing in Nigeria. This edfintech platform is transforming how school fees are paid, offering flexible models that ease the burden on parents while supporting schools’ financial stability. Starting as a small initiative involving just five schools, Dadalowa has expanded rapidly, reaching 120 schools in key Nigerian cities within just two terms.

School Fees for Primary and Secondary Schools: A Growing Challenge

The cost of education remains a significant barrier for millions of Nigerian families. Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria at the forefront, leads the world in education exclusion. Reports from the World Bank and UNESCO reveal staggering statistics: 20% of primary-aged children are out of school, and 60% of those aged 15-17 are not attending secondary school. The primary culprit? High school fees and rigid lump-sum payment models that fail to accommodate the financial realities of low-income families.

According to Segun Jerome, ‘UNESCO gave the value of out-of-school children to be 20 million in this region. The lost value is about $6 billion every year. There are about 166,000 registered primary and secondary schools in Nigeria, with over 50 million kids according to the Federal Ministry of Education report 2021.’

Dadalowa’s solution addresses this gap head-on by introducing micro-payment systems that allow parents to pay in smaller, manageable amounts, significantly reducing dropout rates and keeping children in school.

Over 20 Million Out-of-School Children: How High School Fees Are Widening Nigeria’s Education Gap

Nigeria’s education crisis is stark, with about 166,000 registered primary and secondary schools across the country, over 20 million children are out of school and a dropout rate of approximately 20%. The financial implications are just as dire, with annual losses estimated at $6 billion. Dadalowa’s flexible payment model is a game-changer. Parents can contribute to virtual wallets linked to their child’s school, enabling staggered payments without defaulting. This pooled fund system ensures schools receive their money upfront, eliminating the need for high-interest loans that often cripple their budgets.

By targeting the root causes of school fees challenges, Dadalowa is narrowing the education gap, one family at a time.

Nigeria’s Education Crisis: 50% of Students Face School Fee Challenges – Here’s How Some Families Cope

For many Nigerian families, paying school fees is a seasonal struggle. Data from the Federal Ministry of Education highlights that up to half of all students face financial obstacles to continuing their education. With most schools requiring fees upfront, parents with irregular income streams often resort to desperate measures, including taking personal loans or delaying payments until examination periods.

Dadalowa’s micro-payment system offers a sustainable alternative. “We provide micropayment solutions for parents who can’t pay their children’s school fees in lump sums. It is a social trust system that uses thrift to unlock credit access. Parents pool school fees by installments into virtual wallets that Dadalowa creates for them with a partner bank and schools get paid lump sums from this pool.” Segun stated. Through partnerships with banks, the program ensures schools maintain steady cash flow while parents pay fees gradually. This innovative approach has already assisted 800 families and funded the education of 1,300 children, proving its effectiveness in alleviating financial stress. “Since we opened last year, we have helped 800 families into the trust system. School fees of about 1,300 kids have been paid through Dadalowa to about 120 schools in Sango-Otta, Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, and Ibadan.” Segun Added.

Struggling to Pay: 70% of Low-Income Nigerian Parents Can’t Afford School Fees on Time

The high cost of education isn’t limited to tuition. Transportation, uniforms, and textbooks further strain low-income families. Dadalowa addresses these ancillary expenses as part of its broader mission to make education accessible. By including services like mobility solutions and learning materials, the initiative ensures students receive a holistic educational experience without overburdening their parents.

This comprehensive approach has helped Dadalowa gain the trust of communities, enabling it to expand from 65 schools in its first two terms to over 120 schools across Ogun and Oyo states.

Staggered Learning & High Dropout Rates: The Dire Consequences of Unaffordable School Fees in Nigeria

When parents can’t afford to pay school fees on time, the impact ripples through the education system. Staggered learning schedules disrupt academic progress, and many students drop out entirely, perpetuating cycles of poverty. For schools, delayed payments create cash flow challenges, often leading to costly loans with interest rates exceeding 20%.

Dadalowa’s system mitigates these consequences by providing schools with immediate access to funds through bank partnerships, while parents benefit from manageable payment plans. This dual-benefit model has proven to be a win-win for all stakeholders.

Community-Led Innovations: How Programs like Dadalowa Are Easing Nigeria’s Education Crisis

Founded by Segun Jerome, whose career spans multiple industries, including banking, media, education, and technology, Dadalowa began with a simple idea discussed at a Parent-Teacher Association meeting involving five schools. Its rapid growth—to 65 schools within two terms and now 120 schools—is a testament to the demand for flexible education financing solutions. Jerome, who also founded Playspread, a media intelligence firm serving notable organizations such as the MacArthur Foundation, DFID, and COSON, as well as HCDA, a training institute for business owners and skilled professionals, is using Dadalowa to address one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most pressing challenges: school dropout rates due to financial barriers.

By leveraging technology and community trust, Dadalowa has become more than just a payment platform. It is a lifeline for families struggling to keep their children in school and a stabilizer for schools navigating financial uncertainty. Parents now have access to installment plans that align with their income cycles, breaking the cycle of delayed payments and educational disruptions.

Conclusion

In a nation where education is both a right and a challenge, Dadalowa is reshaping the narrative. Its innovative micro-payment system has not only kept children in school but also restored hope to families facing financial hardships. With its continued growth and impact, Dadalowa is poised to play a critical role in bridging Nigeria’s education gap, proving that with the right tools, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome. For contact, reach out via [email protected]

Buratai Inducted as Patron of Institute of Security, Advocates for Collective Efforts to Build a Secure Nigeria

The 17th International Security Conference, hosted by the Institute of Security, Nigeria, saw Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd), former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, inducted as the 2nd Patron of the Institute. The event, held at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium, University of Lagos, was a gathering of top security experts, academics, and stakeholders.

General Olu Bajowa, the 1st Patron of the Institute, hailed General Buratai as an exemplary leader who embodies courage, determination, and patriotism.

“General Buratai has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the security and well-being of our great nation. He is a distinguished military officer with over 40 years of service to the Nigerian Army,” General Bajowa said.

He further lauded Buratai’s wealth of experience and his invaluable contributions to the fight against insurgency and terrorism during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021.

“Throughout his illustrious career, General Buratai has embodied the values of courage, integrity, and loyalty. His dedication to the Nigerian Army and the nation is unparalleled,” Bajowa added.

In his acceptance speech, General Buratai highlighted the critical role of security education and training in ensuring national safety and pledged to support the Institute’s programs.

“Security education, training, and excellence are at the forefront of our shared vision. We aim to strengthen the capacity of security and law enforcement agencies, ensuring they deliver exceptional services,” Buratai stated.

He called for unity in building a secure Nigeria, adding, “Let us unite to build a secure Nigeria where citizens live without fear and prosperity thrives.”

The conference also featured other notable speakers. Professor Rahman Bello, Chairman of the occasion, underscored the importance of focusing on domestic development, particularly in agriculture and smallholder peasant farming.

“For Nigeria to develop, the government must adopt a more inward-looking approach. Every country that intends to develop must, at some point, focus on its internal capacities,” Bello said.

Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun emphasised grassroots security education as a tool for sustainable development, while Major General Bulama Biu urged policymakers to implement actionable strategies beyond rhetoric.

The event concluded with a resounding call to action, stressing the need for collective efforts to secure Nigeria’s future and foster prosperity for its citizens.

Chabad Rabbi Missing In Abu Dhabi, Feared Kidnapped Or Murdered

Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an emissary to Abu Dhabi’s Chabad chapter, has been missing since Thursday, and Israel’s security services reportedly fear he was kidnapped or murdered, it emerged Saturday.

The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement confirming Kogan’s disappearance and said authorities were treating the incident as a suspected act of terrorism.

The PMO added that the Mossad intelligence agency had launched an “extensive” investigation into the incident alongside Emirati authorities.

At the same time, the National Security Council issued a reminder that it has advised for some time not to travel to the United Arab Emirates for non-essential purposes.

Ynet cited security officials as saying there is growing suspicion Kogan was murdered, and the Walla news site reported that Israel has information that he was being followed by Iranian intelligence, citing security sources.

Kogan is a dual Israeli-Moldovan citizen, and has been part of the Abu Dhabi Chabad chapter since Israel normalized ties with the UAE in late 2020. According to Ynet, Kogan participated in the first ever Holocaust remembrance day ceremony in the Gulf state in 2021, and led the Yizkor prayer during the event.

Kogan is the nephew of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was murdered along with his wife in a terror attack at the Nariman Chabad House in Mumbai in 2008, Channel 12 news reported.

Kogan has served as an aide to the Chief Rabbi of the United Arab Emirates, Rabbi Levi Duchman.

The UAE became the most prominent Arab state in 30 years to establish formal ties with Israel under a US-brokered agreement in 2020, dubbed the Abraham Accords. It has maintained the relationship throughout Israel’s more than 13-month war in Gaza.

Israel has been on high alert for Iranian efforts to harm Israelis and Jews around the world through its various agents and proxies, as the countries have exchanged direct military blows for the first time this year.

Iran launched major drone and ballistic missile attacks against Israel in April and October, in response to Israeli strikes on its proxies in Lebanon and Syria. In late October, Israel retaliated with a series of strikes in which dozens of aircraft targeted strategic military sites across Iran as well as air defense batteries.

Iran has vowed to respond but has not yet done so in any major capacity.