A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Dr. Ayobami Wasiu Lam-Adesina, has outlined an ambitious policy agenda centred on revitalising education, strengthening healthcare delivery, and deepening grassroots development ahead of the 2027 elections.
Lam-Adesina spoke on Wednesday while featuring at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council Guest Forum held at the NUJ Press Centre in Iyaganku, Ibadan.
The associate professor of economic development planning expressed concern over what he described as a steady decline in the quality of public education in the state, attributing the trend to years of neglect and poor infrastructure.
He pledged a comprehensive overhaul of the education sector if elected, with a focus on improving teachers’ welfare, upgrading school facilities, and restoring standards that once made public schools competitive.
Drawing inspiration from the legacies of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Bola Ige, Lam-Adesina emphasised the need to reinstate equal access to quality education for children from all socio-economic backgrounds.
“Many of today’s leaders benefited from free and quality education policies of past progressive governments. I come from a humble background, and those same opportunities contributed to my growth. Every child deserves that chance,” he said.
The aspirant, who is the eldest son of former Oyo State governor, the late Alhaji Lam Adesina, said his political ideology is rooted in inclusive governance and social equity.
He also highlighted healthcare reform as a critical component of his agenda, advocating for a robust primary healthcare system capable of early diagnosis and management of preventable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
Drawing from his experience within the United Kingdom’s healthcare system, where he served at director level, Lam-Adesina stressed the importance of community-based health interventions to reduce pressure on tertiary facilities.
On economic development, he called for the revival of farm settlements and the state’s industrial base to boost food production and create employment opportunities.
He further advocated the promotion of technical and vocational education, noting that skills such as plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry should be prioritised alongside formal education to tackle youth unemployment.
Addressing governance at the grassroots, the APC aspirant underscored the importance of full implementation of local government autonomy to ensure effective service delivery and development across rural communities.
He also pointed to opportunities within the Electricity Act 2023, urging the state government to explore independent power generation and renewable energy sources, particularly solar, to stimulate industrial growth.
Lam-Adesina lamented the rising trend of youth migration abroad, attributing it to limited economic opportunities and inadequate social infrastructure.
“Unless we improve essential services such as healthcare, electricity, and security, our people will continue to seek better opportunities elsewhere. It is our responsibility to reverse that trend,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ Oyo State Council, Akeem Abas, reiterated that the union remains apolitical, noting that the guest forum was designed to provide a platform for political actors to present their programmes and engage with the public.
