A new chapter in the education sector of Ogun Central Senatorial District may have just begun, following the conclusion of a high-level Capacity Building Workshop and Empowerment Programme for Traditional Rulers in Ogun Central Senatorial District, held in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.
The event, hosted by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu in collaboration with the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) and Ampersand Development Partners, brought together traditional rulers, educationists, security professionals, and development stakeholders in an unprecedented effort to mobilize grassroots leadership around educational reform.
The highlight of the event was the adoption of a ten-point communiqué designed to reposition the education sector in Ogun Central as a driver of sustainable development, with a special focus on curriculum relevance, community involvement, security, and access to funding.
Reading the communiqué on behalf of the traditional council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Saka Adeola Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, emphasized the vital role traditional rulers must play in education development. He noted that “the time has come for our royal fathers to move from ceremonial roles to become active agents of change in the education space.”
The traditional rulers resolved to form dedicated monitoring teams to track educational progress across the district, champion mentorship programs, and promote skill-based vocations that align with the current job market.
Senator Salisu, in his remarks, underscored the strategic importance of involving traditional institutions in shaping the future of education. “Our royal fathers are closer to the people than anyone else. Their involvement in education policy, implementation, and oversight will bring about the change we all desire,” he said.
The lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to scaling Ogun State’s education reforms at the federal level, citing Governor Dapo Abiodun’s transformational policies in digital learning, public school renovation, and teacher development as models worthy of national replication. Salisu emphasized that his office would work closely with relevant federal agencies to access the National Education Loan Scheme and other funding avenues to support indigent students.
The summit also featured enlightening keynote addresses from Professor Olajumoke Familoni, who advocated for urgent curriculum reforms focused on vocational and technical education, and Professor Bamidele Sogbesan, who called for increased research-driven policy making. Former Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, spoke passionately on integrating community policing structures into school safety strategies, especially in combating youth-related crimes such as drug abuse and ritual killings.
In response, the forum adopted resolutions to enhance community-led education monitoring, promote the Ogun Central Education Vanguards, and deepen partnerships with Egba sons and daughters, particularly in diaspora, to bridge infrastructure and funding gaps in the sector.
Other major outcomes include:
* The convocation of the Ogun Central Educational Summit to evaluate systemic challenges and galvanize expert-driven solutions.
* Calls for government action on unemployment, which was described as a “disincentive to education” for many young Nigerians.
* Institutionalizing incentives for teachers to boost motivation and retention.
* Creating mentorship frameworks featuring carefully selected role models for students.
* Continuing empowerment programmes for traditional rulers to equip them with governance, conflict resolution, and education policy tools.
As the workshop concluded, Senator Salisu reiterated his deep-rooted belief in people-centered governance, noting that education remains a top priority in his legislative and development agenda. “Education is the foundation upon which we can build a more prosperous, peaceful, and productive Ogun Central,” he said.
The landmark event ended with a strong call for unity, cross-sector collaboration, and sustained action, setting a clear roadmap for transforming the future of education in Ogun Central Senatorial District.
