Ogun students seek 26% UNESCO benchmark funding for education

Students in Ogun State are calling on the incoming governor to prioritize education by allocating 26% of the state's annual budget to the sector, a target set by UNESCO. This demand was voiced during a solidarity rally in Abeokuta, organized by the Students’ Wing of the Yayi Progressive Movement in support of Senator Solomon Adeola's governorship bid.

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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.

Oladotun Opaleye, the Coordinator of the Students’ Wing, stated that the movement would actively engage the senator on increased educational funding if he is elected. "We have a UNESCO standard of 26 percent. 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 percent to education," Opaleye said, expressing confidence in Adeola's commitment to qualitative education.

The rally saw participation from over 10,000 students who gathered to acknowledge Senator Adeola's contributions to education. Opaleye specifically mentioned Adeola's recent disbursement of bursaries and scholarships to 5,312 students across the state, noting it as an unprecedented feat in Ogun State's history.

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I believe that he’s going to do it as somebody who has value for qualitative education.

Beyond funding, the students also urged Adeola to focus on rehabilitating infrastructure in tertiary institutions, including laboratories and classrooms, which they described as being in dire need of development. "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," added Opaleye.

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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.

The Yayi Progressive Movement aims to mobilize 250,000 votes for Senator Adeola in the upcoming 2027 governorship election, with a strong focus on securing the student vote. Opaleye expressed optimism that their efforts would contribute significantly to Adeola's electoral success.

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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.