By ‘Deola Adeyemi
The future of education in Yewaland took centre stage as stakeholders from across the region converged for a two-day Yewa Education Summit, held on April 15th and 16th, 2025, at the Raheem Oloyo Conference Centre, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. Themed “Repositioning Education in Yewaland: Challenges and Prospects,” the summit brought to the fore the urgent need for strategic intervention in the region’s ailing education sector.
A major highlight of the summit was the declaration of a State of Emergency on the Educational Sector in Yewaland, pronounced by Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland. The declaration was welcomed with resounding support, as it reflected the consensus among participants on the need for bold and urgent reforms. Oba Olugbenle submitted that without grassroots support, government efforts to fix education will fall short.The summit, organized by the Yewa People Development Council (YPDC), drew a robust turnout of traditional rulers, education experts, community leaders, civil society groups, youth and student bodies, private sector actors, and concerned citizens. However, the noticeable absence of political representatives was a point of concern, as it underscored a gap in government engagement on a matter of critical regional importance.
The first day of the summit featured a paper presentation by the Lead Speaker, Prof. Taiwo Edun, a seasoned academic and former Dean of the Faculty of Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University, on “Critical Assessment of the Current State of Education and its Impact on the Socio-Economic Development of Yewaland.” Prof. Edun painted a sobering picture of the current education landscape and called for collaborative action to reverse the decline.
The summit featured four other insightful presentations: Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella on “Funding and Financing for Sustainable Educational Development in Yewaland”; Prof. Tolu Ogunleye on “Framework for Career Advisory and Mentorship for Yewa Youths”; Dr. (Mrs.) Charlotte B. Iro-Idoro on “TVET, Entrepreneurship, and Digital Training Pathways for Youth Development in Yewaland”; and Very Rev. Akanbi Orobiyi on “The Roles of Critical Stakeholders in Advancing Education in Yewaland.”
At the end of the summit, key resolutions aimed at addressing the region’s educational crisis were adopted. These include the Declaration of a State of Emergency in the Education Sector in Yewaland, to be followed by a comprehensive action plan; the Establishment of a Yewa Education Trust Fund to mobilize resources for infrastructure and innovation; and the Promotion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a strategic pathway to empower youths with practical skills and reduce unemployment. The summit also charged elites across Yewaland to adopt schools by providing financial support to bridge infrastructural gaps and improve learning conditions. In addition, parents and teachers were urged to take responsibility in restoring integrity to the education system by discouraging examination malpractices and instilling the right values in students.
While the summit succeeded in raising critical conversations and producing far-reaching resolutions, the true test lies in the execution of a comprehensive action plan that translates ideas into visible impact. Without deliberate follow-through, the declarations risk becoming mere rhetoric. Yewaland must now walk the talk – mobilizing its people, resources, and institutions to ensure that this historic summit becomes a launchpad for genuine and sustained transformation in the educational sector.
