Osun State has surged from 33rd to 7th position in national academic rankings, marking one of the most significant educational improvements in nearly two decades. Governor Ademola Adeleke made this announcement on Sunday, highlighting measurable success since his administration took over in 2022.
“I promised, and we are delivering. Since I became your Governor, Osun has moved from 33rd to 7th in WAEC/NECO rankings nationally — a feat not achieved in 18 years!” Governor Adeleke stated. He credited this performance to a deliberate and consistent overhaul of the state’s educational systems.
According to state data provided during the governor’s remarks, Osun recorded a 71% pass rate in recent WAEC and NECO examinations. Over 29,000 students secured at least five credits, including Mathematics and English, the benchmark for university admission in Nigeria.
Breaking the results down further, the performance of Osun’s female candidates placed them 6th nationwide, while their male counterparts ranked 10th. These statistics suggest that gender-focused initiatives introduced by the state may be yielding results in closing the performance gap.
“We are also making global waves,” Adeleke noted, citing international accomplishments by Osun students. In 2024, students from the state emerged winners of the prestigious Malaysia International Debate, a competition that featured top schools from across Asia and Africa.
Further underlining Osun’s growing international reputation, the governor revealed that a team of students from the state has been selected to represent the African continent at the Artificial Intelligence Robotics Competition scheduled to take place in Dallas, USA, in May 2025.
Osun’s domestic accomplishments also feature prominently. The state secured second place in the National Sewing Competition, a vocational skills contest that involved hundreds of technical students. Additionally, Osun topped the list in the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) assessment for student access to educational finance, outperforming 35 other states and the FCT.
The governor traced the progress to massive investments across the education value chain. “This progress reflects our tireless investment in education — from Osun State University and UNILESA to our polytechnics and colleges of education and technology,” he said.
Adeleke also reaffirmed his administration’s vision to make Osun the leader in educational performance in Nigeria. “The work isn’t done yet. My goal is for Osun to be No. 1 in Nigeria, and with your continued support, we will get there,” he assured residents.
Since assuming office, Adeleke’s administration has implemented reforms ranging from curriculum upgrades and teacher training to infrastructural renewal and digital resource integration. Analysts note that the education budget under Adeleke has consistently risen, aligning with the improved academic outcomes.
The government’s efforts have been accompanied by community sensitization and partnerships with international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector. These partnerships have supported girl-child education, science and technology learning, and global exposure for talented students.
“Let’s keep pushing. Osun is rising!” Adeleke concluded, rallying support from citizens to sustain the momentum and push toward the number one spot. With national examinations ahead and global competitions on the horizon, Osun’s education journey appears far from over — and the results so far point to a trajectory of excellence.
