The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos, Funso Doherty, has pledged to introduce free education and healthcare within his first 100 days in office if elected governor in 2027.
Doherty made the pledge on Thursday during a special town hall meeting organised by The Platform, a thought leadership initiative of The Covenant Nation, Lagos.
He said his proposed administration would make public education entirely free, including textbooks and examination fees, while providing a daily nutritious meal for pupils in public schools.
“We will also provide one nutritious meal for every kid in public school. We will also provide a programme by which kids who are in public schools are transported free to school if they need it,” he said.
Doherty said the measures were intended to ensure that no child was denied education because of financial constraints.
“Education is not denied to any child. Because the children, given our demographics, are the hope of the future and will be the time bomb of the future,” he said.
On healthcare, the NDC candidate pledged what he described as “truly free healthcare”, with particular attention to maternal and child healthcare.
Doherty said his proposed policies were aimed at increasing access to basic social services and improving the welfare of residents.
He also outlined a housing plan that would target the construction of about 150,000 housing units during his first term, arguing that the housing challenge in Lagos required a significant increase in supply.
The town hall brought together governorship candidates from different political parties to respond to questions from young Lagos residents on issues including education, healthcare, housing, transportation, and economic development.
