Former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has issued a strong appeal for Nigeria to significantly increase public investment in health and education, warning that the country's development remains hampered by what he termed the "twin alliances" of illiteracy and ill health.
Critical Juncture for Human Development
Speaking during the convocation lecture at Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, Kogi State, Mimiko acknowledged some ongoing policy efforts but insisted they fall far short of what Nigeria requires. Despite recent fiscal reforms that have boosted government revenues, he described the nation's human development indicators as painting "a dismal picture."
The former governor delivered his lecture titled "Ill-health and Illiteracy: Siblings Alliance Against Development" on November 28, 2025, emphasizing that Nigeria stands at a critical juncture requiring aggressive action.
Nutrition Crisis and School Meal Reforms
Mimiko placed particular emphasis on childhood nutrition, revealing that 40% of Nigeria's children under five suffer from stunted growth due to malnourishment. He proposed concrete reforms to the school meal program, calling for its rebranding and decentralization.
"The federal government should set general guidelines, standards, and limits, while the actual project implementation should be devolved to sub-national governments," Mimiko stated. He advocated for "one egg, one child, one day" as an irreducible minimum part of the midday meal, arguing this would make compliance and accountability easier to track while boosting the livestock industry.
Police Decentralization and Fiscal Priorities
Addressing Nigeria's security challenges, Mimiko called for fundamental police reforms. "To address the challenge of insecurity in Nigeria, we must decentralize the police service," he asserted. "No federation like Nigeria anywhere has the type of centralized police structure we have in Nigeria."
The former governor highlighted that improved government revenues from subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and expected 2026 tax reforms present a rare opportunity to redirect funds toward human capital development. He stressed that both federal and state governments must reflect this new fiscal capacity in their budget priorities by channeling more resources into healthcare and education.
"Our message is simple," Mimiko concluded. "More public investment in health and education must be prioritized. The alliance of illiteracy and ill health must be confronted and reversed if Nigeria is to achieve meaningful development."
