Free School Opens in Ogun, Giving Disadvantaged Children Fresh Access to Quality Education!

A new tuition-free school has officially opened in Adiyan, Ogun State, with the aim of expanding access to quality education for children from disadvantaged and low-income backgrounds.

The Bennie Griffins Academy, established by Nigerian-German entrepreneur Georgia Oviesu, is providing children with free tuition alongside meals, uniforms and other essential learning support. The initiative is designed to reduce financial barriers that prevent some children from accessing quality education.

Oviesu, who is 18 and professionally known as Gia Réi, said the idea for the academy came from her concern about children who are unable to access good education because of their socioeconomic circumstances. She said the project is intended to give children opportunities to learn, develop their talents and build confidence regardless of their family background.

The academy covers education from primary level to Junior Secondary School 3. Its academic programme is based on the Nigerian curriculum but is planned to include additional learning areas such as German and French languages, Yoruba, creative arts, science, technology and robotics. Pupils will also have opportunities to participate in clubs and activities connected to music, film, theatre and other creative interests.

The school’s approach goes beyond classroom examinations. Oviesu said the academy wants pupils to develop independent thinking, confidence and the ability to express their opinions. The intention is to create a learning environment where children can discover their individual strengths while receiving formal academic instruction.

Before the school officially opened, reports indicated that about 100 children were on its waiting list, showing the level of interest surrounding the initiative. Following its opening, the academy has begun providing free education to children within the community. National Periscope says 50 children were already receiving tuition and other basic school support at no cost.

The initiative is being supported through donations, grants and contributions from volunteers, while the academy has also sought wider partnerships to strengthen and expand its work. Oviesu has expressed an ambition to replicate the model beyond Ogun State and eventually establish similar free schools across Nigeria.

The opening of the academy comes against the wider challenge of unequal access to education in Nigeria, where household income and social circumstances can influence children’s educational opportunities. Private initiatives such as Bennie Griffins Academy cannot by themselves resolve the country’s broader education challenges, but they can provide targeted support to communities where families face financial barriers.

The academy’s stated focus on both academic learning and practical skills also reflects growing interest in education models that prepare young people for opportunities beyond conventional examinations. Its inclusion of technology, robotics, languages and creative programmes is intended to expose pupils to a broader range of skills and interests.

Bennie Griffins Academy is not the only tuition-free education initiative operating in Ogun State. Kingston Nursery and Primary School in Akute, for example, says it provides free education, books, uniforms, meals and other support to children from underserved communities. The school was established in 2021 with a stated mission of improving access to education for out-of-school children.

For Bennie Griffins Academy, the immediate challenge will be sustaining the programme as enrolment grows. Providing tuition-free education requires continuing funding for teachers, learning materials, food, uniforms, facilities and other operational needs.

As the academy begins its work in Adiyan, its progress will depend not only on the number of children enrolled but also on the quality and continuity of the education being provided. For the children gaining access to the school, however, the initiative represents an opportunity to receive formal education without the tuition burden that can place schooling beyond the reach of some families.

The project therefore places education at the centre of its mission while seeking to give children from disadvantaged backgrounds a stronger opportunity to develop academically, creatively and socially

Bennie Griffins Academy has opened a tuition-free school in Adiyan, Ogun State, providing education, meals and learning support for disadvantaged children.