Governor Seyi Makinde has linked his personal educational journey and current policy direction to the legacy of late Chief Bola Ige, stating that he directly benefited from the free education programme introduced during Ige’s tenure as governor of the old Oyo State.
Makinde made the remarks on Monday at the opening ceremony of “Oyo State at 50,” an event commemorating five decades since the creation of the state on February 3, 1976, during the military administration of late Head of State Murtala Muhammad. The anniversary provided a platform for reflection on the state’s political history, development trajectory, and policy continuity across generations.
Personal Experience as Policy Motivation
Speaking to an audience of political leaders, traditional rulers, and citizens, Makinde recalled his secondary school years under the Bola Ige administration, noting that he paid no school fees throughout that period due to the state’s free education policy.
He said his education at Bishop Philips Academy in Ibadan was fully supported by government policy at the time, including the provision of learning materials and infrastructure. According to the governor, students were supplied with books, furniture, and other essentials without financial burden on parents.
Makinde explained that this personal experience influenced his decision, decades later, to abolish tuition fees in public primary and secondary schools in Oyo State. He described the move not merely as a campaign promise but as a deliberate attempt to “give back” to the society that once invested in him.
Bola Ige’s Place in Oyo State History
Chief Bola Ige was the first civilian governor of the old Oyo State, governing between October 1979 and October 1983. His administration was widely associated with progressive social policies, particularly in education, which aligned with the broader philosophy of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) at the time.
The free education programme implemented during his tenure produced a generation of professionals across the old Western Region, many of whom have gone on to occupy leadership roles in politics, academia, and the private sector. Makinde’s remarks place him among that generation of beneficiaries, reinforcing the long-term impact of policy decisions in the education sector.
Education as a Tool for Development
Beyond personal reflection, Makinde used the occasion to restate his administration’s belief that human capital development remains the foundation of sustainable growth. He argued that the “full strength of Oyo State lies in its people,” positioning education as the most effective means of unlocking that potential.
The governor said his government’s decision to maintain free basic education reflects a broader shift from what he described as “promises to performance.” According to him, investing in people—rather than focusing solely on physical infrastructure—is essential for long-term economic and social progress.
Oyo State has, in recent years, prioritised policies aimed at improving school enrolment, reducing dropout rates, and upgrading learning facilities, particularly in rural communities.
Political and Historical Context
Oyo State’s 50th anniversary comes at a time when states across Nigeria are reassessing development strategies amid economic pressure, rising youth population, and growing demand for quality public services. Education funding, in particular, remains a contentious issue, with many states struggling to balance access, quality, and sustainability.
Makinde’s reference to Bola Ige’s legacy underscores an enduring ideological thread in Oyo politics that favours social investment and public welfare. It also reflects an effort to root contemporary governance in historical continuity, rather than presenting reforms as isolated or novel initiatives.
Key Implications
Makinde’s remarks carry several broader implications for governance and public policy in Oyo State and beyond:
- Policy Continuity: The governor’s stance reinforces the idea that long-term development benefits from sustained policies across administrations.
- Education as Social Mobility: Free education is framed as a proven pathway for lifting individuals into leadership and professional roles.
- Governance Narrative: By tying current reforms to historical precedents, the administration strengthens public acceptance of its education policies.
- Intergenerational Impact: The comments highlight how public spending decisions can shape lives decades later, strengthening the case for investment in human capital.
What Happens Next
As Oyo State continues its golden jubilee celebrations, attention is expected to shift to evaluations of how well current policies are meeting public expectations. In education, stakeholders will be watching for measurable outcomes in learning quality, infrastructure, and teacher welfare.
For Makinde, the anniversary speech positions education not just as a sectoral policy, but as a defining pillar of Oyo State’s identity—one with roots in its past and implications for its future.
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