The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has promised to introduce free education from primary to junior secondary school, limit classroom enrolment to 30 pupils and restore school governing boards if elected governor in 2027.
Alli made the pledges on Thursday at a leadership dialogue organised by the Oyo Leadership Initiative (OLI) in Ibadan, the state capital, with the theme, “Redefining Leadership and Governance in Oyo State.”
He said his proposed administration would prioritise teacher training, improve school infrastructure, provide instructional materials and strengthen security in schools to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
The APC candidate also promised to restore the payment of running grants to primary and secondary schools, arguing that adequate funding and improved facilities were essential to raising educational standards across the state.
“We will ensure that the atmosphere is teaching and learning-friendly. We will put in place good infrastructure. Payment of running grants would be returned to primary and secondary schools,” Alli said.
He added that his administration would ensure that schools were safe and adequately equipped with instructional materials.
On the management of tertiary institutions, Alli criticised what he described as the ineffective operation of governing councils and the involvement of consultants in the administration of higher institutions.
He alleged that a consultant engaged by some institutions collected 10 per cent of payments made by students, questioning the suitability of such an arrangement for managing educational institutions.
“It won’t be like the governing councils of our tertiary institutions in Oyo State, which are not functional. In our tertiary institutions, it is a consultant that is running them, and the consultant takes 10 per cent from what the students are paying,” he said.
Alli pledged to make the governing councils functional and strengthen institutional accountability if elected.
Addressing teachers’ welfare, he promised prompt payment of salaries and allowances, alongside special incentives for teachers posted to remote communities.
He also proposed establishing information and communication technology (ICT) centres for secondary school students across the state’s three senatorial districts.
According to him, the measures would improve learning outcomes and expand access to educational opportunities.
Beyond education, Alli pledged to grant local governments greater autonomy and ensure accountability, arguing that ineffective local government administration had affected service delivery in several sectors.
“Most of the problems we have emanate from the local governments not functioning,” he said, adding that local councils should work with the state government to promote economic development, security, infrastructure and education.
On healthcare, the APC candidate promised free services for infants, babies, older people and pregnant women. He also pledged to ensure that primary healthcare centres in each of Oyo State’s 351 wards were functional.
Alli further proposed a census of residents to improve government planning and resource allocation in education, healthcare and the economy.
In the agricultural sector, he promised to revitalise the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), promote mechanised farming and improve access roads to farming communities.
He said better farm-to-market roads would reduce transportation costs and help lower the prices of agricultural produce.
On security, Alli proposed establishing a neighbourhood watch system and deploying technology to strengthen surveillance across the state.
He also said solar farms and modular electricity grids would provide power for security equipment and surveillance infrastructure.
Addressing concerns surrounding the Ibadan Circular Road, Alli said the original plan provided for a 150-metre corridor, comprising 75 metres on each side.
He pledged to review the expansion to 500 metres if elected governor.
The APC candidate also promised to respect traditional institutions and work with traditional rulers to promote grassroots development across the state.
Earlier, the convener of the Oyo Leadership Initiative, Chief Abiola Ali, said the organisation was established in November 2025 to promote good leadership and governance in Oyo State.
He disclosed that the initiative had 103 members and remained open to professionals from different fields who wished to contribute to the state’s development.
Ali described Senator Alli as the most suitable among the governorship candidates, citing his integrity, experience and leadership qualities.
Those present at the event included the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo; the party’s secretary, Hon. Fatai Adesina; the state APC women leader, Dr. Felicia Opatunde; and the Director-General of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO), Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe.
Others were the campaign organisation’s Director of Mobilisation, Oloye Sina Alabi; Director of Public Affairs, Bolaji Tunji; APC House of Representatives candidate for Ibadan North-West/South-West Federal Constituency, Hon. Folake Olunloyo-Osinowo; and the campaign organisation’s Deputy Director-General, Chief Sola Ogunbode.
