“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This famous quote by Nelson Mandela underscores the transformative power of education. The quality of education directly influences the quality of governance, as an informed and enlightened populace is the cornerstone of a just and prosperous society.
In line with this belief, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate has emphasised a commitment to what he calls “value-driven education.” His manifesto includes promises to significantly improve the infrastructure of tertiary institutions, ensuring that these educational facilities are equipped to meet the demands of modern learning. Additionally, he plans to secure funding, generate complementary revenue streams, and provide research support that addresses local challenges, all while promoting sustainable development. The candidate also vows to enhance the professional welfare of teachers by providing regular training opportunities, ensuring that educators are well-prepared to deliver high-quality education and contribute to the overall development of the state.
The Labour Party candidate has laid out an ambitious plan to enhance education in Edo State by increasing the state’s budget for education and establishing specific funds dedicated to supporting learning and capacity building. A key part of this vision includes the construction of Model Schools in each Local Council, ensuring that students across the state have access to high-quality educational facilities.
Both the Labour Party and APC candidates recognise the need to modernise the state’s educational system. They have pledged to overhaul the school curricula, incorporating contemporary subjects that provide students with practical and relevant knowledge. This commitment to updating the curriculum reflects a shared understanding that education must evolve to meet the demands of the 21st Century, equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
The PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, has set forth a comprehensive educational agenda aimed at significantly reducing the number of out-of-school children by 50% annually, starting from the first year of his administration. Recognising the critical shortage of educators, particularly in rural areas, he plans to recruit, train, and retain more teachers to ensure that quality education is accessible across the state.
Furthermore, Ighodalo’s plan includes the launch of an Adopt-A-School initiative, designed to attract corporate and non-corporate partners to adopt schools in various communities. This initiative aims to ensure that these schools meet the required standards by collaborating closely with the Ministry of Education. In addition to these efforts, Ighodalo has committed to paying special attention to children with physical challenges, ensuring that they receive the necessary support and resources to thrive in the educational system.
A manifesto serves as a crucial benchmark for holding politicians and parties accountable. It allows voters and other stakeholders to assess whether a party has delivered on its commitments, providing a clear measure of a candidate’s performance once in office. By detailing the candidate’s stance on various issues, a manifesto helps voters make informed decisions based on which platform aligns with their values and priorities. It is an instrument in persuading undecided voters. By clearly articulating a candidate’s vision and proposed policies, a well-crafted manifesto can sway those who are still unsure, offering them a compelling reason to support a particular candidate or party. In this way, manifestos play a vital role in the democratic process, shaping the choices that ultimately determine the direction of governance.
The World Bank often emphasizes that countries should allocate at least 4-6% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or 15-20% of their total public expenditure to education. These benchmarks are deemed essential for achieving sustainable educational outcomes, as they ensure that sufficient resources are devoted to improving and maintaining a quality educational system.
In 2023, Edo State allocated 13% of its state budget to education. This strategic investment has yielded significant results, with Edo consistently ranking among the top performers in basic education in Nigeria, often placing second or third nationwide. Meanwhile, Kano State took an even more ambitious approach, allocating approximately 27.63% of its total budget to the education sector in 2023. Such substantial investments highlight the critical role of adequate funding in driving educational success and underscore the importance of prioritising education in state budgets to achieve long-term developmental goals.
This investment is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve access to quality education, enhance infrastructure, and promote skills development.
In 2011, the Lagos State government launched the Adopt-A-School programme as part of its broader educational reforms. The initiative invited corporate organisations, philanthropic individuals, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to partner with the government in rehabilitating and upgrading public schools.
Many companies and individuals responded positively, leading to significant improvements in school infrastructure, access to learning materials, and overall educational quality. The success of this program demonstrated how public-private partnerships can play a crucial role in enhancing educational outcomes and setting a model for similar initiatives in other states.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the state introduced e-learning platforms and virtual classrooms to ensure that students could continue their education remotely. This initiative can still work as we enter into the elections. This innovative approach not only enhances the learning experience but also ensures that education remains relevant and adaptive to the evolving demands of society.
A notable example of a sub-national entity where education promises significantly influenced voters’ choices is Kwara State, Nigeria during the 2019 gubernatorial elections. The incoming administration, led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, focused heavily on revamping the education sector, which had been plagued by issues such as inadequate infrastructure, unpaid teacher salaries, and low student performance.
Governor AbdulRazaq’s campaign promises centered around improving the quality of education, renovating dilapidated schools, and ensuring regular payment of teachers’ salaries. These commitments resonated with voters, particularly because education is a critical sector for the state’s future development. His focus on education reform played a pivotal role in winning the support of the electorate, leading to his election victory. Since then, the state has seen significant improvements in its educational infrastructure and overall performance, validating the voters’ choice based on these education-centric promises
When voters see clear, realistic, and actionable plans for improving education—such as building a sustainable educational ecosystem—they are more likely to trust that the candidate or party is committed to meaningful progress.
Education and good governance are intrinsically linked, as an educated populace is the foundation of a functioning democracy and effective leadership. Through education, individuals gain the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and awareness needed to actively participate in civic duties, make informed decisions, and hold leaders accountable.
When citizens are well-educated, they are better equipped to contribute to societal development, demand fair governance, and engage in the democratic process, ultimately leading to a more stable, just, and prosperous society.
Edo State has made significant strides in education, and the upcoming elections present an opportunity to either build on these achievements or risk reversing them. The candidates vying for leadership positions have their best foot forward. The focus should be on electing leaders who have an actionable plan, vision for advancing educational quality and access but also recognizes the importance of sustaining current progress.
• President Aigbokhan is a public interest advocate. He can be reached via [email protected] +2348032683434
