Comrade Issa Aremu, Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, MINILS, Ilorin, has described the recently concluded Osun State off-cycle governorship election as further proof of Nigeria’s position as a leading democracy in Africa.
Aremu made the remarks on Monday, August 17, 2026, during a homecoming ceremony organised by the University of Ilorin to honour Emeritus Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB.
He called on Nigerians to pay greater attention to the country’s success stories, particularly the contributions of individuals who have helped strengthen public institutions.
Aremu commended the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, for organising what he described as a timely and historic event to recognise Oloyede’s contributions during his two terms as JAMB Registrar.
He described Oloyede as a benefactor of MINILS, noting that he played a significant role in expanding the institute’s academic programmes from short courses to diploma and bachelor’s degree programmes through its affiliation with the University of Ilorin.
According to Aremu, the partnership, which began in 2019, has produced hundreds of graduates.
Aremu, who is also a member of the National Institute for Labour Studies in Kuru, Jos, urged Nigerians to move beyond narratives of despair and highlight achievements that demonstrate the country’s potential.
He said the Osun governorship election reflected the growing maturity of Nigeria’s democracy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The MINILS Director-General commended Tinubu for what he described as statesmanship in providing a level playing field for a competitive multi-party election, noting that the outcome was broadly accepted by participants.
Aremu said Nigeria should celebrate its democratic progress at a time when several countries are expressing concerns over the decline of democratic values.
He pointed to the successive governorship elections in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun as examples of improved electoral processes, saying the elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had helped boost voter participation.
