The Citizens' Watch

Our Assessment

Upon assuming office in 2019, the administration immediately revised the inherited budget, tripling the education allocation from approximately 3% to 10% within its first seven months. In the subsequent full fiscal years, the funding levels did not merely "increase yearly" to meet the minimum UNESCO recommendation of 15%; they consistently exceeded it.

Why It Matters

Oyo State has faced one of Nigeria's most severe out-of-school children crises, leaving thousands of young people without access to quality education. Allocating a meaningful share of the state budget to education is one of the most direct ways a government can reverse this; funding more schools, hiring more teachers, and improving learning materials. This commitment, tied to an internationally recognised standard, signals that education is a measurable government priority and not just a campaign talking point.

As the administration’s first term drew to a close in early 2023, the Governor presented a "Budget of Sustainable Development" which earmarked N58.21 billion for the education sector.

This allocation represented 18.78% of the total budget, maintaining the state's record of staying within the UNESCO-recommended 15-20% bracket despite the economic pressures of inflation and fluctuating federal allocations.

Governor Seyi Makinde's Achievements: Six Years in Office - Education - Seyi Makinde

This followed a consistent pattern set in 2022, when the government allocated 18.37% (N54.11 billion) to the sector, focusing heavily on the completion of over 700 classroom blocks and several "Model Schools" across the three senatorial districts.

The middle of the term saw even more aggressive funding. In 2021, the state hit a 21% allocation mark, a move that the government argued was necessary to stabilize the sector following the COVID-19 pandemic's disruptions.

However, the most significant leap occurred in the 2020 fiscal year, the administration’s first full budget cycle, where education funding skyrocketed to 22.37%.

This historic high was more than double the original 10% promise and positioned Oyo as one of the leading states in Nigeria for education spending.

World Culture Day: Oyo restates commitment to cultural development - — *Wasiu Olatunbosun, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Oyo state.*

This journey began in the latter half of 2019, shortly after the May inauguration, when the Governor moved to fulfill his campaign pledge by reviewing the state's budget and jacking up the education portion from a meager 3% to the promised 10% threshold to fund the immediate distribution of free textbooks and science equipment.

Raise The Government Budget To At Least 10% In Our First Year In Office. This Will Then Be Increased Yearly Afterwards In Order To Meet UNESCO Recommended Standards

Our Assessment

Why It Matters

Progress So Far

Oyo Education Funding Outpaces International Benchmarks as First Term Concludes

Raise The Government Budget To At Least 10% In Our First Year In Office. This Will Then Be Increased Yearly Afterwards In Order To Meet UNESCO Recommended Standards

Our Assessment

Why It Matters

Progress So Far

Oyo Education Funding Outpaces International Benchmarks as First Term Concludes

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