International Solidarity with Students in Nigeria

Africa along with other neo-colonial regions has continually been plundered by the actions of imperialism. Millions of people are lost in wars and famines that are very rarely reported and whole generations have been completely failed by the puppet regimes, which are propped up by the west, who implement policies designed to extract the maximum profit at a minimal cost. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund continue to loan money and at the same time demand previous loans back with crippling interest repayments. These new loans are also given with the provision that neo liberal reforms, including education fees, will be implemented.

In Nigeria the pattern of minimal investment has been shown in a material form. UNESCO, the United Nations agency that advises on the development of countries, recommends that 26% of the budget of developing countries is put into education. Between 1985 and 2003 spending fell from 12.2% to just 4.6%. The crippling debt (estimated at US$ 30.9 billion in 2003) and yearly repayments leave the masses no escape from their poverty with over 60% living below the poverty line. 15 million school aged children have to work, with 6.1 million leaving school altogether, to contribute to the family income. Only 0.3% of Nigerian youth will eventually attend college or university.

An Education Rights Campaign has been initiated by the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights in Nigeria, that intends to campaign and fight for the right to a decent free education with access open to all. The work being carried out is progressing at great speed but is encountering difficulties, they need resources to produce material and run a campaign. The student activists also have to face victimisation of their organisation by the state with several being arrested. An international solidarity campaign is being organised to donate funds to allow the Nigerians to fight back. For more information and to find out how to get involved details can be obtained from your local Socialist Students society.

 

Support the Education Rights Campaign in Nigeria

PO Box 44485, London SE1 0XB CDWRNigeria@hotmail.com