The Old Students Association of Federal Government College (FGC), Ilorin, Class of 1996, has urged the Federal Government to abandon any plan to privatise Federal Unity Colleges, warning that such a move would make quality education unaffordable for many Nigerian families.

The alumni made the appeal in Ilorin during the commissioning of two solar-powered borehole systems, three 3D printing machines and sports kits donated to the college as part of activities marking their reunion.

Speaking at the event, the President of the association, Chukwuyere Izuogu, said government ownership has remained the foundation of the affordability and accessibility that distinguish Unity Schools across the country.

He noted that while reports of the proposed takeover of King's College by its old students had generated public debate, allowing private interests to dominate the management of Unity Schools could deny children from low-income families access to quality education.

"I am a practical example. One of the reasons I left Warri in Delta State to attend FGC Ilorin, a place I had never visited before, was because the education here was affordable. At that time, our major expenses were simply academic books," he said.

According to him, Unity Schools have continued to provide equal educational opportunities for students from different parts of Nigeria, adding that privatisation could undermine that legacy.

Earlier, the Director-Principal of the college, Dr Agbo Paul, also appealed to the Federal Government to retain the existing ownership structure of Federal Unity Colleges.

He warned that privatisation would make quality education inaccessible to many families, as private operators would likely increase school fees to maximise profit.

"Federal Unity Schools remain among the few institutions in Nigeria that provide quality and affordable education for children from different socio-economic backgrounds. If these schools are privatised, education may become unaffordable for many parents," he said.

The reunion also featured the unveiling of projects executed by the 1996 set, including two solar-powered borehole systems to improve water supply in the boys' and girls' hostels, three 3D printing machines to promote technology education and sports kits for students.

Explaining the motivation behind the intervention, Izuogu said members of the class considered it a responsibility to give back to the institution that contributed significantly to their personal and professional development.

He disclosed that the solar-powered boreholes were designed to provide sustainable water supply, while the 3D printing machines, donated through the support of a United States-based alumnus, Shola Adekanyin, would expose students to modern manufacturing technology and innovation.

"These machines will encourage creativity by allowing students to transform ideas into practical products. We believe this will broaden their learning experience and inspire them to become problem-solvers," he added.

Receiving the projects, Dr Paul commended the alumni for supporting their alma mater decades after graduation, describing the gesture as worthy of emulation.

He noted that government alone cannot meet all the needs of educational institutions, calling on alumni associations, parents, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to continue supporting educational development.

Chairman of the reunion planning committee, Oherein Enahoro, explained that the projects were conceived about six years ago but were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other logistical challenges.

He said the association initially planned to install solar-powered streetlights before identifying inadequate water supply as the school's most urgent need, leading to the rehabilitation and solarisation of existing boreholes.

Also speaking, the association's Financial Secretary, Bashir Ahmad, urged students to remain committed to their studies and avoid activities that could jeopardise their future.

A physically challenged alumnus, Abdulqodir Suleiman, appealed to the Federal Government to sustain policies that guarantee affordable education for children living with disabilities, noting that such opportunities had positively transformed his own life.