What the Federal Government Crackdown on Dollar Schools Means

The Federal Government’s plan to shut down schools that collect tuition fees in dollars or other foreign currencies has stirred reactions across the country. Many Nigerians see it as a bold and necessary move, while others are asking if the policy can really be enforced.

For years, some private and international schools in Nigeria have been asking parents to pay school fees in dollars or pounds. These schools often say they do this to cover expenses for foreign teachers and imported materials. However, with the naira becoming weaker and the cost of living rising, the practice now looks like an insult to the nation’s economy.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has described the practice as a big problem for Nigeria’s financial system. He said the government must close such schools because they worsen dollar scarcity and weaken the naira. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has also placed many schools under watch, warning that it is illegal for any organisation in Nigeria to charge for services in foreign currency.

The National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has thrown its full support behind the government. The chairman of its Board of Trustees, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said the policy is the right step. “Education should teach patriotism, not drain our foreign reserves,” he said. “You cannot go to the UK or the US and pay school fees in naira. So why should Nigerian parents be made to pay their children’s school fees  in dollars here?”

For many people, this fight is not just about money; it is about national pride. They believe that schools collecting dollars show that some Nigerians value foreign things more than their own country. By stopping this act, the government hopes to restore confidence in the naira and promote a sense of patriotism in education.

Still, some experts think the policy may not be easy to enforce because many of these schools are linked with foreign institutions. Closing them completely could create new problems for students. They have suggested that the government should allow these schools to charge in naira but regulate how they set their fees.

Whatever happens next, the message is clear: education in Nigeria should build love for the country, not weaken it. As Ogunbanjo said, “Our schools should raise proud Nigerians, not dollar dreamers.”