Nigeria’s immediate past High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola has called for a concerted effort in tackling illiteracy and poverty in the country.

The Ogun State 2027 gubernatorial hopeful made the call in Abeokuta on Thursday, 31st July, 2025, while speaking at the 7th anniversary lecture of Penpushing Media Limited, held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).

He said “Democracy in Nigeria will continue to face challenges until the issues of illiteracy and poverty are adequately addressed.”

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Ambassador Isola was the Chairman of  the event which had “Reworking Nigeria’s Federalism: Perspectives on Restructuring and Fiscal Federalism” as its theme.

The former Minister of Mines and Steel Development also made case  for a more comprehensive approach that will address  the underlying issues hindering the effective functioning of Nigeria’s federal system.

He therefore urged  Nigerians not to view restructuring as a sectional agenda as it is in the overall interest of the country.

One area he would want particular emphasis placed upon is local government administration.

He emphasized the need for a functional local government administration, saying that
in the past, local governments were more impactful through their Public Works Departments (PWD).

Amb Isola was an elected local government Chairman in Abeokuta North Local Government Area and also served as chairman of the Conference of Local Government Council Chairmen in Ogun State.