The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Thursday, pledged firm legislative backing for gender-responsive education reforms aimed at strengthening inclusiveness, transparency and accountability in the state’s education sector.

The commitment was made at an Oyo State policy dialogue on Legislative Pathways for Inclusive Education Reform, convened in Ibadan by YouthHubAfrica, Education As A Vaccine, and Malala Fund.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, in his keynote address, described education as the bedrock of meaningful and sustainable development, stressing that the Legislature would continue to support policies that guarantee equitable access and improved learning outcomes for all children.

“Anywhere we can support education in Oyo and Nigeria, we will do so. We are significant stakeholders in this engagement,” he said.

Ogundoyin emphasised that the Assembly’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond lawmaking to oversight and appropriation, noting that these instruments are critical in shaping policy direction, setting budget priorities and ensuring that public funds are deployed efficiently and equitably.

He described gender-responsive education budgeting as both a moral obligation and a strategic development tool, urging lawmakers and stakeholders to critically assess whether budgetary allocations adequately address the specific challenges faced by girls, children with disabilities and marginalised communities.

According to him, strengthening transparency and citizen engagement in the budgeting process would deepen public trust and enhance the impact of government spending in the sector.

The Speaker assured that the House Committees on Budget and Appropriation, Education, Science and Technology, and Women Affairs and Community Development would collaborate with civil society organisations and development partners to review existing frameworks, identify policy gaps and promote reforms capable of delivering measurable progress.

Partnership Manager, Nigeria, Malala Fund, Maryam Danburam, commended the Assembly’s leadership, noting that the dialogue provided an opportunity to institutionalise reforms that align policy commitments with adequate financing.

She stressed that collaborative action between government and civil society was essential to building accountable and resilient education systems, particularly in advancing the rights of girls to complete 12 years of quality education.

The dialogue, held under the JAG Project, also sought legislative support for the implementation of a Gender-Responsive Education Sector Plan (GRESP), promotion of open education governance and the development of actionable policy frameworks to improve service delivery.

Executive Director of Education as a Vaccine (EVA), Mrs. OluwatoyinChukwudozie, described education as central to human capital development and pledged continued collaboration to ensure that all children reach their potential.

Similarly, Executive Director of YouthHubAfrica, Rotimi Olawale, called for deliberate financial prioritisation within the education budget, noting that sustained reforms would nurture future generations of leaders.

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.