Oyo State Governor’s Legacy To Push the Envelope For A Better Oyo State....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During the late hours of Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Governor Seyi Makinde took to the streets of Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, to personally assess the state of preparedness of public schools as they geared up for the new academic session. Accompanied by several commissioners and aides, the Governor was dismayed by some troubling discoveries and did not hold back in expressing his dissatisfaction. In certain schools inspected, shops and stalls had been erected right up to the perimeter fences, clearly jeopardizing the teaching and learning environment, thus depriving students of a proper education and undermining the state’s investment in the educational sector.

During the inspection, Governor Makinde stated, “In some of these schools, the entrances are nearly obstructed by individuals who have set up shops too close to the school gates, which is not conducive to learning. Therefore, we have conducted a thorough survey, and our directive is clear: if you have any structures attached to the school fence, they must be removed.”

“We will provide them with approximately one week to comply with this directive,” the Governor continued. “They must clear these obstructions so that when our students return to school, they will be entering an environment that is conducive to learning.”

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Furthermore, Governor Makinde charged those responsible for managing the schools to ensure the prompt removal of any obstacles to effective learning. He emphasized, “We have a duty to create a suitable atmosphere for our students. Failing in this responsibility is not an option because it pertains to the future of our children, the future of our state, and indeed, the future of our nation. Sound education is the key to a brighter future for our society.”

When some shop owners failed to comply with the deadline for removal, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources stepped in, demolishing the structures and stalls before the school resumed last Monday to ensure that the learning environment was conducive.

Governor Makinde is deeply committed to education because he recognizes it as the foundation upon which society is built. He views education as the beacon that dispels ignorance and empowers individuals to take control of their lives. He firmly believes that education empowers people to make informed decisions, a crucial aspect of leading meaningful lives.

Makinde sees education as the catalyst that unlocks individuals’ potential, enabling them to seize opportunities in their surroundings. He is convinced that education fosters creativity and drives innovation, both of which enhance quality of life. He regards education as the force that can transform a person’s mindset, broaden their horizons, and cultivate an appreciation for the value in others.

For Governor Makinde, providing unhindered access to education is one of the most valuable contributions a leader can make to their constituents, especially the youth. He is determined to go to great lengths and spare no expense to ensure that every child in Oyo State has access to quality education, regardless of their parents’ social status or position. This commitment was evident from his first day in office as governor.

Immediately after taking office on May 29, 2019, Governor Makinde abolished the N3,000 fee per child, making primary and secondary education in the state free. This decision led to over 60,000 out-of-school children returning to school. He further increased the budget allocation for education from 3 percent to 10 percent in 2019, despite inheriting a budget that had been reduced overall.

Governor Makinde also pledged to strive to meet the UNESCO recommendation of allocating between 15 and 20 percent of the budget to education. He has consistently fulfilled this promise by increasing the budgetary provision for education each year, with significant allocations in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

To enhance education delivery at the primary and secondary levels, the Makinde administration completed over 200 projects, including the construction of eight model schools, renovation of 88 classroom blocks, installation of 36 boreholes, and construction of perimeter fences in seven schools. The administration also hired 5,000 teachers and recruited 692 Education Officers deployed across the state’s local government areas. Textbooks and notebooks were supplied to schools as well.

Despite these substantial investments in primary and secondary education, Governor Makinde acknowledges that there is still more to be done. At a Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting on the 2024 Budget, he emphasized the need for additional funding beyond what can be obtained from SUBEB/UBEC efforts, highlighting that nearly N46 billion is required to address the state’s school infrastructure needs.

The Governor stated, “We are exploring solutions, and one thing I will request from the Commissioner for Education in the 2024 budget is additional funding beyond what we can obtain from SUBEB/UBEC. To bridge this gap, we need to allocate at least N12 billion annually and assess the progress we make in improving these schools.”

Governor Makinde’s commitment extends beyond primary and secondary education; he has also improved tertiary institutions in the state. One significant action was clearing most of the inherited salary arrears for tertiary institutions, totaling N6.8 billion out of N8.6 billion.

Additionally, he provided N500,000 bursary awards to Oyo State students in the Law School since 2019, offered full scholarships to students from each of the state’s 33 local government areas to study at Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, and awarded scholarships to 136 students in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele, Ibadan, in January 2022.

Furthermore, Governor Makinde has prioritized improving facilities in state-owned tertiary institutions, allocating funds for capital projects, office complexes, and lecture theaters. He also secured sole ownership of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH) and expanded it into a multi-campus institution, including a College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin, Oke Ogun region.

Governor Makinde’s determination to enhance education in Oyo State remains unwavering. He continues to push the envelope, striving to achieve even greater milestones in education for the benefit of the state’s residents.