Qualitative Education, Core Of Amusan’s Agenda For Ogun State
By Bola Adebowale
Hon. Jelili Kayode Amusan, a two-term former member of the House of Representatives and businessman-turned-politician, is quietly emerging as one of the frontrunners in the race to Oke Mosan. While not the loudest aspirant in the media space, his consultations across the Gateway State have positioned him among the most seriously considered candidates.
Central to Amusan’s vision is education. He has consistently argued that Ogun State cannot achieve sustainable development without putting qualitative education at the heart of governance. His policy outline places schools, teachers, and students at the centre of a reform agenda he believes can transform the state into a model for the country.
Building Policy on Data
One of the first steps Amusan intends to take if elected governor is a comprehensive audit of the state’s education sector. This exercise would establish reliable figures on the number of schools across primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels, student enrollment at each stage, the teacher-student ratio, and the physical condition of school infrastructure.
According to him, accurate data is indispensable for effective planning. With credible numbers, the government would be able to identify specific gaps and direct resources to where they are most needed. “We can not solve what we do not know,” he has emphasized in stakeholder meetings.
Free Education at Primary and Secondary Levels
Amusan’s second priority is the declaration of free education at primary and secondary levels. This policy, strongly associated with the South West since the Awolowo era, remains, in his view, a cornerstone of human capital development.
He argues that removing the financial barrier to schooling is essential to guarantee access, increase enrollment, and ensure no child in Ogun State is excluded from education due to economic hardship.
Rehabilitation of Public Schools
The condition of public schools in Ogun State has drawn concern over the years, with reports of dilapidated classrooms, inadequate furniture, and overstretched facilities. To tackle this, Amusan has pledged to set up a Public School Rehabilitation Task Force within his first 30 days in office.
The task force would be mandated to address urgent repairs and gradually restore schools to standards befitting a 21st-century learning environment. The initiative is expected to work in phases, beginning with the most distressed schools before moving to others across the state.
Teacher Welfare and Capacity Building
Teachers form the backbone of education delivery, but welfare concerns and poor training opportunities have limited their effectiveness. Amusan’s agenda proposes improving teacher incentives while also investing in their professional development.
A major component is the launch of a comprehensive Train-the-Teachers programme designed to upgrade teaching methods, incorporate digital literacy, and align instruction with global best practices. By empowering teachers, his plan seeks to strengthen learning outcomes at every level.
Vocational and Technical Skills Integration
One of the most ambitious elements of the proposed education reform is the integration of vocational and technical training into the secondary school curriculum. From SS1 to SS3, students would receive structured instruction in technical subjects alongside their academic coursework.
The goal is that by the time students graduate from SS3, they will not only have academic knowledge but also practical skills relevant to today’s economy. Amusan believes this approach would encourage entrepreneurship, reduce unemployment, and promote self-reliance among young people.
A Vision Anchored on Qualitative Education
For Amusan, the cumulative effect of these measures—data-driven planning, free access to education, rehabilitation of school infrastructure, teacher empowerment, and technical skills development—amounts to a holistic strategy for transforming the sector.
He maintains that with political will and disciplined implementation, Ogun State can reclaim its place as a leader in education, just as it did in the early years of free education in the South West.
While the contest for the governorship is still gathering momentum, Hon. Jelili Kayode Amusan’s emphasis on education sets him apart. His proposals reflect a long-term view that places knowledge at the centre of economic and social progress. If realized, they could redefine the trajectory of Ogun State’s development and provide a template for other states to follow.
| Adebowale wrote in from Agbara, Ogun state
