Human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has released an ambitious education blueprint, promising free schooling from early childhood to university and the abolition of all public examination fees if elected in 2027.

Sharing the policy document on his verified X handle, Sowore vowed that no Nigerian child would again be asked to pay for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, National Examination Council exams or any other public examination under his watch. He framed the plan as a “revolutionary commitment” to end the practice of poverty determining a child’s future.

The manifesto outlines a 20-point agenda aimed at building what it calls “a modern, free, inclusive, and future-ready education system.” At its core is a pledge of free education at every level, backed by semester grants for students in public tertiary institutions to cushion academic and living costs.

Sowore proposes a restructuring of the school system into five years of primary education, five years of secondary education and four years for a university degree. Every local government area would host a community college offering two-year associate degrees, technical certifications, entrepreneurship programmes, adult education and digital skills training.

The blueprint places strong emphasis on technology. It promises high-speed internet in all schools, digital classrooms, virtual laboratories, online libraries and cloud-based learning resources. From primary school, pupils would be exposed to coding, AI-assisted learning, robotics, data science and cybersecurity, positioning digital literacy as a core national skill.

Technical and vocational education would be expanded to cover renewable energy, manufacturing, construction, software engineering, agriculture, aviation, maritime, health technologies and the creative industries. All polytechnics and monotechnics are to be converted into universities under a sweeping reform of tertiary education.

Teachers are described as central to the reforms, with commitments to better salaries, housing, research opportunities and professional recognition. The plan includes two-year teacher institutes focused on modern pedagogy, digital learning tools and curriculum development.

The manifesto also promises full university autonomy, protection of academic freedom and independent student unions. A proposed “national education and innovation cloud” would host digital libraries, journals, AI learning assistants and research databases accessible to every student and teacher.

Infrastructure and welfare feature prominently, with pledges of modern classrooms, safe hostels, clean water, renewable electricity, sports and arts facilities, inclusive education for learners with disabilities, school feeding, health services and mental health support.