{
  "id": 10721355,
  "title": "Education is a right, don’t burden students with loans – Ex-minister tells FG",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/education-is-a-right-dont-burden-students-with-loans-ex-minister",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T15:09:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/29/education-is-a-right-dont-burden-students-with-loans-ex-minister-tells-fg/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu has called on the Federal Government to recognize education as a fundamental right, rather than imposing loans on students. Speaking on a local radio programme, Shittu argued that government policies should prioritize opportunities for children from low-income families and ensure education is given equal importance alongside employment, healthcare, and overall welfare. He questioned the justification of student loans, given that many graduates remain unemployed years after completing their tertiary education. Shittu urged Nigerians to revisit the education objectives outlined in the 1999 Constitution, which he argued clearly obliges the government to facilitate access to education and nurture citizens' potential. He emphasized that raising children is a communal responsibility, not solely the burden of individual families. Shittu believes Nigeria possesses the resources to enhance educational access, citing Rwanda as a successful example of a country heavily invested in human development. He expressed worry over the economic struggles faced by students, who frequently inform him of their inability to meet basic needs, such as food. The ex-minister suggested that government policies should be evaluated based on their impact on ordinary Nigerians, particularly poor families, and called for a more robust implementation of constitutional provisions concerning education. He contended that investing in education would diminish future social issues by equipping young Nigerians with skills to effectively contribute to society.",
  "summary": "A former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has urged the Federal Government to treat education as a fundamental right and not burden students with loans. Shittu spoke on Tuesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, monitored by DAILY POST in Abeokuta. The former minister said government policies […] Education is a right, don’t…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Peninsula Qatar",
        "title": "Qatar's Education Ministry honours 82 students for international, Gulf competition achievements",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/qatars-education-ministry-honours-82-students-for-international-gulf",
        "published": "2026-09-29T12:11:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf Times",
        "title": "Qatar's Education Ministry honors 82 students for international and Gulf competition achievements",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/qatars-education-ministry-honors-82-students-for-international-and",
        "published": "2026-09-29T12:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Doha News",
        "title": "Al Ansari: Qatar continues U.S.-Iran mediation despite Tehran’s Gulf attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/al-ansari-qatar-continues-u-s-iran-mediation-despite-tehrans-gulf",
        "published": "2026-09-29T12:59:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}