August 13, 2025
Across the globe, 350 million children depend on non-state actors for access to education. In Lagos State—Nigeria’s economic powerhouse and one of Africa’s largest economies—nearly 90% of primary schools serving low-income communities are non-state schools. These schools are vital to national development, yet they continue to operate with little recognition, support, or policy inclusion.
That’s the gap we’re working to close.
On April 23rd, 2025, SEED Care & Support Foundation convened a first-of-its-kind gathering: “All Hands on Deck for Affordable Non-State Schools.”
This was more than a workshop—it was the ignition point of a collective movement, co-created by over 100 education stakeholders: school owners, teachers, parents, alumni, associations, and ecosystem allies—all united by one goal: equity for every child and every school.
Collective Power, Shared Vision
Through powerful dialogue and solution-focused collaboration, stakeholders rallied around a shared call:
“Transforming education cannot be the responsibility of a few. It requires collective action and shared ownership.”
— Mrs. Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Executive Director, SEED
This convening was made possible by the All Hands on Deck for SDG4 Small Grants Programme, led by Global Schools Forum and IDP Foundation. SEED was selected alongside nine other organisations across Africa and Asia to localize the Action Toolkit for driving education equity.
But for us in Lagos, it was more than implementation—we owned the process. We built from the ground up, with local wisdom and grassroots leadership at the core.
RISE Up: No School Left Out. No Child Left Behind.
The event culminated in the launch of the All Hands on Deck Collective, guided by a locally adapted pledge inspired by the Salzburg Statement on Collective Action for Education Equity—and unified by a bold framework:
RISE – Recognition. Inclusion. Support. Engagement.
RISE is more than an acronym. It’s a moral and strategic compass for transforming education systems—starting with policy change, but rooted in people.
Our work directly aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4 and echoes the 2021/22 UNESCO GEM Report, which urges governments to fully recognize the role of non-state actors in delivering inclusive, quality education.
Organizing for Impact: Structures That Scale
To activate this movement, we launched:
🔹 Six Thematic Working Groups
Focused on the most pressing barriers to equitable education access:
- The Learning Crisis
- Out-of-School Children
- Teacher Development & Welfare
- Multiple Taxes, Levies & Fees
- School Registration, Approval & Census
- Access to Finance
🔹 20 Local Government Area (LGA) Groups
Aligned with the 20 LGAs in Lagos State and the constituencies represented in the Lagos State House of Assembly—ensuring the community voices shaping education reform are as diverse and representative as Lagos itself.
These groups are the grassroots engine behind our policy agenda and the vital bridge between citizens and decision-makers.
Looking Ahead: RISE in Action
We know what’s needed. We have the people. We have a plan. But to sustain and scale this work, we need your partnership.
We are thankful for the small grant that has helped us lay the foundation. Through collective efforts, we have also piloted two Townhall Meetings at the LGA levels – Badagry & Kosofe LGAs.
Now, we need more resources to deepen our organizing, amplify community leadership, and drive policy change so no school is left out, and no child is left behind.
What excites us more is knowing this work is part of something bigger – contributing to a growing knowledge base that can be scaled across states, nationally and globally.
🌍 Join Us. Invest in Systems Change.
Support the RISE movement. Help us bring this people-powered strategy from the workshop hall to town halls and policy chambers—until no school is left out, no child is left behind and equity becomes a reality for every Nigerian child.
Together, let’s put all hands on deck for SDG4. Not just in words, but in bold, collective action.
Contact us to discuss ways we can partner.
What Affordable Non-State Education Ecosystem Stakeholders Are Saying
“Awareness is the first evidence of great change.”
— Low-Fee Private School Alumni
“This movement helped me truly see the cost—and value—of what our schools are doing for the country.”
— Low-Fee Private School Teacher
“Affordable non-state schools reduce the number of out-of-school children, generate jobs, and uplift communities. When a school opens, a prison gate quietly closes.”
— Low-Fee Private School Owner
“We must exhaust every avenue to engage government and key stakeholders in building an enabling environment where low-fee private schools can thrive.”
— Low-Fee Private School Association Executive
“The challenges discussed were real and relevant—not just in Lagos, but across Nigeria.”
— Low-Fee Private School LGA Representative