Former Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has called on government at all levels to prioritise education for the less privileged, stating that the poor deserve access to quality education now more than ever.

Mimiko made the remark on Thursday while delivering the Convocation Lecture at the University of Benin, titled: “The Poor Also Deserve Education: Our Founding Heroes’ Legacies in Educational Equity and Equality.”

He emphasised the urgent need to address the glaring disparity in the standard of education between Northern and Southern Nigeria, urging a renewed focus on achieving equity and equality in access and opportunities.

Mimiko also criticised Nigeria’s over-centralised governance structure, arguing that it hampers growth and development while calling for a comprehensive review of the 1999 Constitution.

Drawing from history, Mimiko highlighted the transformative educational policies of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which prioritised free and compulsory education in the Western Region during the 1950s.

He lauded Awolowo’s vision and the commitment of his contemporaries, such as Adekunle Ajasin and Stephen Awokoya, to creating a more equitable educational system that laid the foundation for societal transformation.

The former Ondo governor noted that Awolowo’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme not only expanded access to education but also addressed socio-economic and cultural barriers to ensure widespread enrolment.

The model, he argued, serves as a blueprint for today’s leaders to emulate in addressing Nigeria’s educational challenges.

He cautioned against reliance on temporary measures like lowering standards under the guise of Federal character and quota systems, warning that such strategies could be counterproductive in the long term.

He urged policymakers to adopt sustainable and forward-thinking approaches to managing educational disparities.

Mimiko further asserted that tackling the structural issues embedded in Nigeria’s governance system is critical to combating poverty and underdevelopment.

He stressed the need for devolution of power to enable regional and sub-national growth, describing it as essential for Nigeria’s progress and unity.

In her remarks, Vice-Chancellor Professor Lilian Salami noted that the lecture’s insights would serve as a valuable resource for education stakeholders and policymakers committed to improving the sector.