Lagos residents deserve free healthcare, education — AAC Reps candidate

In this interview, Ekene Ojieh, an educator, data analyst, and labour and environmental activist, who is the African Action Congress candidate for the Lagos Mainland Constituency in the House of Representatives, speaks with ABDUL-HAFEEZ FADEHAN about her plans

What drives you to contest for membership of the House of Representatives for Lagos Mainland?

I am driven by a commitment to social justice, particularly for women, workers, and young people. Women remain severely underrepresented in our legislative institutions, and policies that fail ordinary people often impact women and children the hardest. I am contesting because those most affected by policy decisions deserve a meaningful voice in shaping them.

Lagos Mainland has a large population of young people facing unemployment and underemployment. What specific policies would you pursue at the federal level?

I would support public investment in education, infrastructure, and green industries that can create decent jobs for young people. I also believe in expanding vocational training, strengthening labour protections, and supporting small businesses and cooperatives so that young people can access dignified and secure employment rather than precarious work.

With rising food, transport, housing and healthcare costs, what measures would you support in the National Assembly to ease the cost-of-living crisis?

I would advocate for stronger social protection measures, increased investment in public transportation, affordable housing programmes, food security initiatives, and improved healthcare funding. Government must prioritize people over profit and ensure basic needs are accessible to all.

What federal interventions would you push for to address waste management problems in the constituency?

Waste management should be approached as both an environmental and public health issue. I would advocate for federal support for recycling programmes, effective community waste collection systems, environmental education, and investments in sustainable waste infrastructure that create jobs while improving sanitation and public health.

What would you do as a federal legislator to improve education in Lagos Mainland?

As an educator, I understand the transformative power of education. I would advocate for free education at all levels. I would support increased funding for public schools, teacher development, improved learning facilities, and curriculum reforms that equip students with critical thinking, civic awareness, and practical skills needed for the modern economy.

What legislative or budgetary measures would you pursue to improve access to affordable and quality healthcare?

Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. I would support increased public healthcare funding. I would advocate for free healthcare for pregnant women, children and elderly, stronger primary healthcare systems, and targeted investments that ensure low-income households can access quality healthcare without facing financial hardship.

What policies would you support to expand affordable housing and address housing challenges?

Housing is a social necessity. it’s human right. I would support public housing programmes, rent regulation measures, investment in social housing, and policies that discourage speculative practices that drive up housing costs. Every resident deserves access to safe, affordable, and decent housing.

What women-oriented policies will you advocate for Lagos Mainland residents at the House of Reps?

I will advocate for greater political representation for women, stronger protections against gender-based violence, equal economic opportunities, improved maternal healthcare, childcare support, and policies that recognize and reduce the burden of unpaid care work that disproportionately falls on women.

What is your view on Tyla’s bid to perform in Nigeria amid xenophobic rhetoric in South Africa as it affects Nigerians?

I understand why many Nigerians are angry about xenophobic attacks, but I believe that anger is often directed at the wrong people. The responsibility lies primarily with governments that have failed to protect citizens and address the conditions that fuel xenophobia. Artists should not become scapegoats for political failures. Rather than directing our anger at individuals, we should organize and demand accountability from both the Nigerian and South African governments. Solidarity between African peoples is far more productive than hostility between ordinary citizens.