Osun State has recorded a dramatic rise in national academic performance, moving from 33rd place in 2022 to 7th in the latest ranking by the National Examinations Council (NECO). This leap marks a significant turnaround for the state’s education sector under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The new rating was contained in NECO’s recently released “Standard Educational Performance Ranking of States in 2024 SSCE,” which assesses the academic outcomes of all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the Osun State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Dipo Eluwole, the state achieved a 71% pass rate in the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), with 29,101 candidates securing at least five credits, including Mathematics and English, out of a total of 41,264 who sat for the examination.
“This is the first time in 18 years that Osun has reached such a high success rate,” Eluwole noted. “Our reforms are paying off.”
In gender-specific rankings, Osun’s female candidates ranked 6th nationwide with a 72% success rate, while their male counterparts placed 10th with 69.2%.
From Campaign Promise to Policy Win
Governor Adeleke, who had pledged during his 2022 campaign to lift Osun into the top 10 in national exam rankings, described the achievement as the fulfillment of an electoral promise.
“I am elated that good things are happening daily in Osun,” the governor said. “It is extraordinary to move from 33rd to 7th in just two years. But we’re not stopping—we’re aiming for number one.”
The governor emphasized ongoing reforms across tertiary institutions, including Osun State University and the newly revitalized University of Ilesa, and mentioned that discussions are ongoing to address the recruitment of new teachers.
A Trail of Educational Excellence
Beyond examination success, Osun has emerged as a beacon of excellence on multiple fronts:
In December 2024, Osun students won the Malaysia International Debate Competition, making Nigeria proud on the global stage.
In May 2025, Osun will represent Africa at the AI and Robotics Competition in Dallas, USA.
The state placed second in the 2024 National Sewing and Entrepreneurship Education Competition.
Osun also topped the National Education Loan Assessment Rating by NELFUND, earning the governor a national commendation.
Governor Adeleke attributed the state’s education strides to coordinated reforms and teamwork. “We are multitasking and carefully managing our resources to avoid financial gridlock. The education team must not relent.”
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