Ex-Gov Amosun Demands BSc and HND as Minimum Qualification for President, Governors

Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has urged that Nigeria’s Constitution be amended to make a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher National Diploma (BSc/HND) the minimum qualification for anyone contesting for President, Governor, or other top elective offices.

Amosun made the call in Ibadan, Oyo State, while speaking at the 2nd Lam Adesina Annual Lecture Series themed “Sustaining a Legacy of Effective Leadership in Nigeria.”

The event was held in honour of the late former Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina.

The former governor said it was time Nigeria raised the standard for political leadership, stressing that holding public office should not be “a refuge for the unprepared” but a responsibility for competent and educated individuals.

He added that the complexity of modern governance requires intellectual depth, discipline, and understanding.

Amosun lamented that despite Nigeria’s wealth of human and natural resources, the nation continues to face poor governance, insecurity, unemployment, and poverty, which he blamed on weak leadership structures.

“Since independence, our country has fluctuated between hope and setbacks, largely due to the absence of sustained, effective leadership,” Amosun said.

He also called for the return of civic education and history to school curricula, noting that an informed society is key to building lasting democracy.

According to him, “Democracy thrives not only on good leaders but on informed and active citizens. Where citizens are passive, uninformed, or indifferent, leadership easily degenerates into despondency, abuse of power, authoritarianism and lack of accountability.”

The senator further urged that any public officeholder found guilty of corruption or abuse of office — including accomplices and family members — should be banned for life from holding any government position. He described corruption as “the greatest betrayal of leadership.”

Amosun praised the late Lam Adesina’s integrity and commitment to service, saying his example should guide the next generation of Nigerian leaders.

“The journey to effective leadership begins with one step — the decision to do right, however small the opportunity,” he stated.

“Let us sustain the legacy of Lam Adesina not only by remembering his name but by continuing his work, the work of building an educated, just, and responsible society. Let every citizen become a leader in conscience and in action.”

The event attracted notable dignitaries, including the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Bashiru; President Bola Tinubu’s representative, Mr. Sunday Dare; and former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, who all praised Lam Adesina’s enduring legacy of integrity and good governance.