The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has reaffirmed the commitment of the legislature to advancing inclusive and gender-responsive education reforms, declaring that no society can rise above the quality and accessibility of its educational system.
Speaking at the Policy Dialogue on Legislative Pathways for Inclusive Education Reform in Oyo State, organised by the Malala Fund Champions Network (ECN), the Speaker emphasized that education remains the bedrock of sustainable development and must be deliberately structured to accommodate every child, particularly the girl-child and other vulnerable groups.
The high-level engagement, held at BON Hotel Kabuwol, was convened by the ECN coalition comprising YouthHubAfrica, Education as a Vaccine, ACE Charity, Invictus Africa, and One Life Initiative, in partnership with the Oyo State legislature.
Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin described the dialogue as timely and strategic, noting that it rightly places the Legislature at the center of education reform efforts.
He explained that the constitutional mandate of lawmakers extends beyond lawmaking to include oversight and appropriation, instruments through which policies are shaped, budget priorities influenced, and public resources deployed efficiently and equitably.
“Gender-responsive education budgeting is not merely a technical concept; it is a moral imperative,” the Speaker stated.
“It challenges us to critically examine whether our budgetary allocations address the barriers faced by girls, children with disabilities, and marginalized communities.”
He raised pertinent questions for policymakers, including whether sufficient resources are being allocated to reduce the number of out-of-school children, tackle infrastructural deficits in rural schools, and prioritize safety, sanitation, and digital access across educational institutions.
The Speaker reiterated that beyond constructing classrooms and recruiting teachers, government must build systems that are transparent, accountable, inclusive, and responsive.
He stressed that strengthening citizen engagement in the budgeting process would enhance public trust and improve policy outcomes.
Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin assured stakeholders that relevant House Committees, particularly those on Budget, Education, Science and Technology, and Women Affairs and Community Development would continue to collaborate closely with civil society groups and development partners to review existing frameworks, identify policy gaps, and promote reforms capable of delivering measurable progress.
He welcomed data-driven advocacy and credible recommendations from civil society organizations, noting that constructive engagement ensures legislative interventions remain evidence-based and people-centered.
“Meaningful reform requires collective responsibility. Government alone cannot shoulder the burden. Civil society must continue to provide research and monitoring. Communities must remain engaged. Development partners must sustain their technical and strategic support.”
Urging participants to move beyond conversations to concrete commitments, the Speaker called for actionable and realistic recommendations that could be translated into legislative instruments and budgetary priorities for the benefit of children across the state.
He concluded by reiterating the unwavering commitment of the Oyo State House of Assembly to policies that strengthen transparency, promote accountability, and advance gender-responsive education budgeting.
