GENDER POLICY DROPS: EKTI FIRST LADY,DR.OLAYEMI DECLARES TOTAL WAR ON EDUCATIONAL INEQUALITY

The wife of Ekiti State Governor Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has launched the Ekiti State Policy on Gender in Education — a sweeping new framework designed to smash barriers keeping girls out of the classroom. Represented by Women Affairs Commissioner Mrs Olapeju Babafemi,on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti the governor’s wife made it clear: education is non-negotiable.

“Education remains one of the basic tools for transforming lives, strengthening the community, and driving sustainable development,” she declared.

The policy, born from a strategic alliance between the Ekiti State Government, the World Bank, and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment(AGILE), alongside the Ministry of Education, signals a no-excuses approach to gender equity in schools.

It recognises education not as a privilege but as a fundamental human right — the ultimate weapon for empowerment, regardless of gender.

State commissioner for education Dr.Adebimpe Aderiye explained that the event signals a breakthrough to secure the future of every girl in the state and urged all stakeholders to support the move.

She commended the uncompromising support and stance of the Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration to the course stating the massive investment in the education sector including recruitment of qualified teachers, prompt payment of salaries, rennovations of schools amongst others as pointers to his dedication to the development of the girl child.

Project Coordinator Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning And Empowerment (AGILE),Mrs.Yewande Adesua laid out the mission in stark terms: boost enrolment, arm adolescents with essential life skills, and use education as the engine for social engineering.

A member of the committee Barr. Shirley Atane then broke down the policy’s objectives — equitable access from early childhood to tertiary level, zero tolerance for gender-based violence and discrimination in schools, and a fierce focus on keeping girls in the system.

This isn’t just paper rhetoric. An implementation guide now gives stakeholders a practical roadmap to drive enrollment, retention, and completion rates for both boys and girls. The goal: an education system that is safe, supportive, and built for results.

The World Bank-assisted AGILE project is already delivering. Over 1,000 classrooms renovated. Fifty-nine boreholes drilled. Financial support reaching 2,808 indigent students across 203 schools. A five-year push to hand girls digital skills, improved infrastructure, and a fighting chance.

The final call went out to all stakeholders ” back girls’ education now — or watch the state lose its future.” Ekiti has chosen its side and the message was loud and clear.

In attendance were Education Commissioner Dr Adebimpe Aderiye,State Information Commissioner Rt. Honourable Taiwo Olatunbosun,Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion Princess Adetoun Agboola, Royal fathers, leaders of the Ekiti Elders forum and selected secondary school students.