Former governor of Ondo state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has called for greater public investment on health and education.
Mimiko warned that Nigeria’s development will remain retarded unless government tackles what he described as the “sibling alliance against development: illiteracy and ill-health.”
Delivering the Convocation lecture of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State, titled: “Ill-health and Illiteracy: Siblings Alliance Against Development.
Mimiko said Nigeria’s human development indicators paint “a dismal picture,” despite recent fiscal reforms that have boosted government revenues.
He acknowledged some ongoing policy efforts in the education and health sectors but insisted they need to be ramped up and aggressively pursued.
According to him, “improved accruals from subsidy removal, exchange rate unification and the expected commencement of tax reforms in 2026 present a rare opportunity for governments at all levels to redirect more funds to human capital development.
The former governor placed special emphasis on childhood nutrition, which he said lies at the intersection of health, education and agriculture, and should be treated as a national priority.
He said 40% of our Nigeria’s Under -5 children suffer from stunted growth owing to malnourishment.
I