The Oyo State House of Assembly and civil society organisations (CSOs) have strengthened collaboration to advance inclusive and accountable reforms in the state’s education sector, with a focus on gender-responsive budgeting and legislative oversight.

The partnership was reinforced during a policy dialogue on Legislative Pathways for Inclusive Education Reform in Oyo State, convened in Ibadan by YouthHubAfrica, Education as a Vaccine (EVA), and Malala Fund.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, described the engagement as timely, noting that sustainable education reform requires institutional commitment and shared responsibility.

“Education remains the bedrock of sustainable development. No society can rise above the quality, accessibility and inclusiveness of its educational system,” he said, while assuring stakeholders of the Assembly’s readiness to support progressive reforms.

Ogundoyin emphasised that the legislature’s mandate extends beyond lawmaking to oversight and appropriation, which are critical for shaping policies and ensuring equitable allocation of resources, particularly for girls, children with disabilities, and marginalised learners.

Malala Fund Nigeria Partnership Manager, Maryam Danburam, said the dialogue marked an important step toward strengthening governance structures and securing legislative backing for a Gender-Responsive Education Sector Plan (GRESP) and open education governance.

Also speaking, Executive Director of YouthHubAfrica, Rotimi Olawale and Executive Director of Education as a Vaccine, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Chukwudozie, called for sustained collaboration, deliberate financing, and strategic planning to improve education outcomes across the state.

Government officials and lawmakers present at the dialogue commended the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the delivery of education in Oyo State.

One of the major outcomes of the legislative convening was the adoption of a communiqué outlining key commitments made by the Speaker and other stakeholders.