The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has criticised Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, saying it has failed to deliver key democratic dividends to many citizens despite 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule. He made the remarks on Thursday while speaking at the 23rd Annual Daily Trust Dialogue held at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre in Kado, Abuja, where he highlighted shortcomings in education, the rule of law and national security.
The monarch expressed concern over the inability of successive governments to guarantee access to basic education for Nigerian children, warning that the rising number of out-of-school children poses a serious threat to the country’s future. He questioned why education has not been made a guaranteed right, asking whether such a situation should persist at this stage of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Oba Ladoja stressed that no nation can achieve sustainable development while denying a significant portion of its population access to education. He cautioned that the long-term consequences of neglecting education would be felt for generations, undermining national progress and stability.