Ladoja: Nigerians Still Lacking Access to Education and Rule of Law

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, stated on Thursday that Nigeria's Fourth Republic has not successfully provided fundamental democratic benefits for numerous citizens, particularly in the fields of education, rule of law, and security.

Ladoja made these comments at the 23rd Annual Trust Dialogue held at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre in Kado, Abuja.

He expressed concern over the ongoing failure of governments at all tiers to ensure access to education for Nigerian children, despite 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.

"The government has not made education a guaranteed right. Currently, many of our children are out of school. Is this acceptable in Nigeria today? Can we not assure education for all our children?" he questioned.

The traditional ruler warned that this situation poses significant threats to Nigeria’s future, asserting that sustainable development cannot be achieved while a substantial number of children lack educational access.

Ladoja also urged for ongoing constitutional and legal reforms, asserting that Nigeria must continuously revise its laws to effectively address the needs of its people.

He pointed out that law-making should not be confined solely to the National Assembly, noting that state assemblies and local governments also possess constitutional authority to create legislation that enhances citizens' welfare.

The monarch highlighted concerns regarding the rule of law, citing inconsistent interpretations and applications of laws as obstacles to justice and accountability.

"I have consulted with lawyers who argue that we cannot even ensure consistent application of the law, as today’s interpretations may vary tomorrow. This unpredictability erodes the rule of law," he stated.

Ladoja further raised alarms regarding security issues, referencing instances of citizens inadvertently killed by law enforcement agents, as well as warnings from security personnel that criminal organizations are often better equipped than those assigned to maintain law and order.

He asserted that Nigeria must confront these challenges directly if the nation intends to establish a democratic system that truly resonates with the aspirations and dreams of its populace.

Despite 26 years of consistent civil governance, he noted that the Fourth Republic's full potential is still largely unrealized due to ongoing issues related to governance, economic stability, and security.

Following his address, Ladoja transferred the session to the speakers and host of the program for further discussions.