Students in Ogun State have thrown their support behind Senator Solomon Adeola's (Yayi) governorship ambition for 2027, but with a firm condition: he must allocate 26 percent of the state's annual budget to education. The demand came during a massive solidarity rally in Abeokuta, where over 10,000 students gathered under the banner of the Students' Wing of the Yayi Progressive Movement.
Students Rally for UNESCO Education Benchmark
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the Students' Wing, Oladotun Opaleye, highlighted that the 26 percent allocation aligns with the education funding benchmark recommended by UNESCO. He emphasized that students would not only support Adeola but also hold him accountable if elected. "We have a UNESCO standard of 26 per cent. Apart from the fact that we are supporting him, we are going to be on him to ensure that there is a budgetary allocation of 26 per cent to education," Opaleye said.
He expressed confidence that Adeola would meet the demand, given his track record. "I believe that he's going to do it as somebody who has value for qualitative education," he added.
Appreciation for Bursaries and Scholarships
The rally was also a gesture of gratitude toward Senator Adeola for his recent payment of bursaries and scholarships to thousands of Ogun State students. According to Opaleye, the senator disbursed funds to 5,312 students without any precondition. "Just a few days ago, he paid bursaries and scholarships for 5,312 students in Ogun State. This is without any precondition. This is no mean feat; no other person in the history of Ogun State has ever done that," he stated.
Beyond financial support, the students urged Adeola to improve infrastructure in tertiary institutions, including classrooms, laboratories, and other facilities. "Our campuses are in dire need of infrastructural development. We are hoping that he's going to bring so much development in terms of laboratories, classrooms and things like that," Opaleye added.
Promise of 250,000 Votes
The student movement pledged to mobilize a significant voting bloc for Adeola in the 2027 governorship election. Opaleye declared, "Our target is to ensure that we deliver 250,000 votes for him in the forthcoming 2027 elections. By the grace of God, with what is on the ground and the kind of work we are doing, he is going to get it from the students' angle."
The rally, which drew thousands of students from across the state, underscores the growing political engagement of young people in Ogun State. The call for increased education funding comes amid ongoing national debates about inadequate investment in schools, infrastructure, and student welfare.
Context of Education Funding in Nigeria
Education stakeholders across Nigeria have repeatedly urged governments at all levels to allocate more resources to the sector. The UNESCO recommendation of 26 percent of national or state budgets to education is often cited as a benchmark, though many states fall short. Ogun students are now leveraging their political support to push for this standard.
Senator Solomon Adeola, who represents Ogun West in the National Assembly, has not yet officially responded to the students' demands. However, his recent bursary payments suggest a commitment to education that the students hope he will continue as governor.
