Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared that his administration has transformed the state's educational fortunes, moving Osun from 33rd place to 7th in national WAEC and NECO rankings within just four years. The governor made this assertion while reflecting on his tenure, stating that the progress is undeniable proof of his administration's commitment to quality education.
Governor Adeleke, who was first elected in 2022 after a contentious legal battle that saw him defeated in 2018, has consistently pointed to education as a cornerstone of his governance. In a recent address, he stated: "I ran in 2018 and was cheated. I came back in 2022 and defeated the sitting governor. I promised Osun people I would lead with the fear of God. Our work speaks for itself. We've done a lot on infrastructure and flyovers. On education: our students were 33rd in Nigeria in WAEC. Today, by God's grace, we are 7th. I'm proud of that progress". The governor's claim, which he has reiterated multiple times since 2025, is based on the "Standard Educational Performance Ranking of States in 2024 SSCE" released by the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Data from the NECO report confirms that Osun State ranked 7th out of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, trailing only behind Lagos, Kano, Oyo, Benue, Ogun and Katsina. Out of 41,264 candidates who sat the exam, 29,101 obtained at least five credits including English Language and Mathematics, reflecting a success rate of approximately 71%—the highest the state has recorded in the last eighteen years. The report also highlighted gender-based performance, with Osun male candidates ranking 10th nationwide with a 69.2% success rate, while their female counterparts came 6th with approximately 72%.
Commissioner for Education in Osun, Dipo Eluwole, attributed this success to several targeted interventions, including free eye tests and surgeries for students, massive school rehabilitation, and investments in teacher welfare. He noted that the leap from 33rd to 7th was a fulfilment of Governor Adeleke's electoral promise to elevate Osun to a single-digit ranking in national examinations. Governor Adeleke himself described the achievement as "remarkable" but reiterated that his ultimate goal is to make Osun number one in the country.
The administration has also highlighted broader educational advancements, including Osun students clinching the top prize at the Malaysia International Debate in 2024 and representing Africa at the AI Robotics Competition in Dallas. The state also earned second place in the National Sewing Competition and emerged as the best-performing state in the NELFUND Education Loan Assessment. Adeleke attributed this progress to sustained investments across all levels of the education sector, from tertiary institutions to technical institutes.
However, the governor's claim has not been without scrutiny. An explainer by FIJ noted that while Osun ranked 7th in the 2024 NECO results, a deeper analysis placed the state at 13th when considering specific criteria. Despite this, the overall improvement remains a significant talking point in the state's political discourse, especially as the August 15 governorship election approaches. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has yet to officially respond to the governor's claims.
Governor Adeleke concluded his remarks by encouraging the education team not to rest on its achievements but to continue with reforms and innovation. He also highlighted ongoing support for state-owned universities and technical institutions, assuring that structural and academic reforms are underway to address lingering challenges and reposition the institutions for greater impact.
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