BY
CHINEDU NSOFOR
Access to education in Nigeria is fraught with challenges, with school fees being one of the most significant barriers. For countless families, particularly those in low-income brackets, the financial burden of lump-sum payments often leads to interruptions in their children’s education. This situation contributes to the alarming statistic of 20 million children out of school annually. However, Segun Jerome’s innovative edfintech firm, Dadalowa, is changing the narrative by digitizing and democratizing school fee payments.
Dadalowa’s micro-payment solution allows families to pay school fees in manageable installments. This groundbreaking model, combined with a community-based social trust system, not only ensures students stay in school but also reduces the operational stress on school proprietors. By eliminating the need for schools to rely on high-interest loans, Dadalowa provides a sustainable path for education financing.
The initiative has already made remarkable strides, keeping over 1,300 children in school and serving 800 families across 120 schools in cities like Abeokuta, Ibadan, and Ijebu Ode. The positive ripple effect is undeniable: lower dropout rates, reduced financial strain on families, and improved stability for educational institutions.
Nigeria’s School Transport Woes: Rising Costs and Safety Concerns Keep Kids Away from Classrooms
While addressing school fees is crucial, another barrier to education access has emerged as equally pressing—transportation. The soaring cost of transportation in Nigeria is becoming a major deterrent to school attendance. For many families, especially in urban centers, daily commutes to school now rival or even exceed tuition fees. Parents face a difficult choice: allocate resources for school transport or cover basic needs like food and housing.
According to Segun Jerome, "transportation cost is getting higher than tuition in many parts. For example there are parents who stay in places like Ibafon, mowe in Ogun state and send their children to Lagos public schools. There are also teachers that live on the mainland and work on the island. With this increase in transportation cost, they have to select the days in a week they attend school. Old models are not working and this affects the child's education"
Commute Crisis: Nigerian Students Missing 40% of School Days Due to Transportation Barriers
A recent study highlights the alarming impact of transportation challenges on education. On average, students in low-income families miss up to 40% of school days due to unaffordable or unavailable transport options. This has led to a marked decline in academic performance and increased dropout rates, particularly in rural and suburban areas where schools are often miles apart.
Dadalowa recognizes the urgent need for innovative solutions to bridge this gap. By integrating technology and mobility services into its edfintech platform, the company aims to remove transportation as a barrier to education, ensuring consistent school attendance for thousands of students.
Mobility Solutions: Transportation Costs for Students Outstrip Tuition in Some Areas
In some Nigerian cities, transportation expenses have surpassed tuition fees, leaving parents in an unsustainable financial bind. Dadalowa is pioneering a transformative approach with PowerBus, a shared school bus pooling service set to launch in 2025. "We have initiated PowerBus strictly for schools beginning in 2025 that will be shared with other schools. It’s some form of school bus pooling service." Segun stated.
The service will use eco-friendly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric buses to minimize costs and environmental impact. The initial pilot phase will involve 50 schools, with plans to expand exponentially after each successful rollout. Parents and schools alike are optimistic about PowerBus as a sustainable alternative to high transport fees.
Future Plans and Targets: Scaling Mobility Solutions for 10,000 Schools
Dadalowa has ambitious goals to scale PowerBus to 10,000 schools within the next 18 months. By creating a vast student transportation network, the firm aims to alleviate the financial burden on families while providing safe, reliable commuting options for children.
The strategy involves phased scaling, with each successful pilot leading to a tenfold increase in the program’s reach. This method ensures operational efficiency and builds trust among stakeholders, positioning Dadalowa as a leader in education mobility solutions.
Overcoming Challenges: Joint Ventures and Partnerships to Drive Growth
Dadalowa’s transportation initiative requires substantial capital investment. The company is actively seeking joint ventures and partnerships to fund its growth and expand the PowerBus program. By collaborating with investors and government agencies, Dadalowa aims to tackle financial hurdles while meeting its sustainability and scalability targets.
Through these efforts, Dadalowa is not only addressing transportation challenges but also redefining education access in Nigeria. With the PowerBus initiative, families no longer need to choose between schooling and survival, as affordable, safe transport becomes a reality for thousands of students. For contact, reach out via: info@dadalowa.com
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