Lagos, Nigeria – In the heart of Ajegunle, a slum in Lagos, Mujanatu Musa and her three children live in a one-roomed shack made of rusty iron sheets. Musa, a hairdresser, struggles to make ends meet on her meager earnings, living among the 63 percent of Nigeria’s population living in poverty.
Despite their hardships, Musa’s children attend Morit International School, where tuition can be paid with used plastic bottles. Founded by Patrick Mbamarah, the school started as a fee-paying institution before transitioning to the innovative “plastic-for-tuition” model, allowing underprivileged parents to provide education for their children.
The success of the initiative, however, is threatened by logistical challenges and financial strain. Mbamarah, who is also a teacher at the school, fears closure due to mounting debts and lack of support from promised partnerships.
As the school teeters on the brink of extinction, parents worry about the uncertain future of their children’s education. With over 10 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, the closure of Morit International School would add to the alarming statistic.
The school’s plight underscores the urgent need for support from individuals and organizations to ensure the continuation of this impactful initiative and the education of Ajegunle’s underprivileged children.