By Kehinde Akinfenwa
Education is the real starting point for a virtuous circle whose impact can be seen in every aspect of daily life. It stands as the golden thread of development, wielding a profound influence that extends far beyond the classroom walls.
This, indeed, is why the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration is paying detailed attention to education in Lagos State. From urban centres to hard-to-reach communities, the state’s education system is undergoing a dynamic evolution, driven by innovation, inclusivity, and a commitment to excellence.
A prevalent feature of the evolving educational landscape is the sight of school constructions and renovations springing up with purposeful intensity across the state. The Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS) is a critical engine driving this transformation, executing the vision of the state government with precision and impact.
In the last six years, it has delivered 386 rehabilitated classroom blocks and constructed 1,290 brand-new classroom blocks across the six education districts.
Through flagship programmes such as the Job Initiative Lagos (JIL) and the Eko Digital Initiative, over 13,000 students and youths have been trained in digital literacy, coding, data science, and digital marketing.
The integration of arts into STEM, the Innovate Eko STEAM Programme, is equally bridging the gap between traditional learning and future-ready skills. The programme cultivates critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities, preparing students for a rapidly evolving global economy.
There is Eko Learners’ Support Programme, a comprehensive initiative aimed at preparing Senior Secondary School students for critical examinations like WASSCE and NECO. This intervention, which features 320 televised lessons across 10 core subjects, is a paradigm shift in leveraging technology to democratize learning.
The launch of Project Zero and the establishment of the Safe School Initiative have significantly expanded access to learning opportunities for every child, with the mission to eradicate the scourge of out-of-school children and increase school attendance.
Part of this remodelling plan was the introduction of the EKO-EXCEL (Excellence in Child Education and Learning) programme, tagged “Leave No Child Behind,” which was deployed to crystallize teaching and learning processes in all government primary schools across the state, using innovative technology devices and a data-driven platform.
In fortifying the education ecosystem, the government has championed the review and optimization of the school curriculum and instituted better school governance across all the state’s institutions of learning.
Alongside this sweeping transformation was the strategic recruitment of over 3,000 passionate and qualified teachers for both primary and secondary schools – an investment not only in manpower, but in the minds and futures of the next generation.
These educators are being equipped with modern teaching tools, ongoing professional development, and digital literacy training to meet the evolving demands of 21st-century classrooms.
Steadily, the government’s investment in the education sector is yielding visible dividends, with a series of prestigious awards and recognitions rolling in from within and outside the country. One remarkable highlight is the Y2024 Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition, a globally acclaimed platform that celebrates innovative water-related projects by young minds.
Out of 60 projects submitted from schools across Nigeria, students from Lagos State clinched top honours -emerging 1st, 3rd, and 4th place. The overall best project, developed by students of Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School, earned the honour of representing Nigeria at the international finals in Stockholm, Sweden, marking the second consecutive year the school has carried the nation’s flag at this global stage.
Similarly, the 26th edition of the JETS Competition also showcased Lagos’s prominence in innovation as the state won a total of 23 medals at the event and received the giant trophy as the overall best State at the competition for the second consecutive year.
Also, out of the 20 participating states at the 2025 edition of the Young Nigerian Scientists’ Presidential Award, a student from Surulere Senior Secondary School emerged the second runner-up and was remarkably rewarded with a scholarship to pursue his education to PhD by the federal government.
Tertiary education is also undergoing remarkable transformation. At the Lagos State University (LASU), strategic investments in research and technological infrastructure have elevated the institution’s status as a premier academic hub in West Africa. One laudable milestone that was recorded was the signing of an agreement with six private investors to build 8,272-unit hostel at the Lagos State University, Ojo.
Following the conversion of LASUED and LASUSTECH into a university in 2022, these institutions have expanded their academic program to meet the evolving demands of higher education. LASUSTECH, in particular, has secured NUC accreditation for 25 new courses and fostered international affiliations that position the university as a key player in scientific research and academic excellence.
The Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) is also on the brink of a historic transition, with plans to become a stand-alone University of Medical and Health Sciences. This initiative aims to address critical skill gaps in medical disciplines such as pharmacy, physiotherapy, and radiography, thereby bolstering the state’s healthcare workforce and aligning with global standards.
One major ritual the Lagos State government has consistently upheld over the past 25 years is the full funding of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for all students in public secondary schools. Between 2019 and 2023 alone, over N4.2billion was expended on examination fees. While N1,577,794,000 was paid in 2024, Governor Sanwo-Olu has further approved an additional N2billion for the 2025 WASSCE fees.
Impressively, a N5billion endowment fund was launched by the state government to support 2,000 low-cost private schools across Lagos, aimed at cushioning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the educational sector. This timely intervention was not only crucial in reviving struggling schools but also ensured that private education stakeholders could rebuild, operate optimally, and continue complementing government efforts in delivering sustainable, inclusive education.
The pivotal role played by the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) in the development of technical education and in equipping young people with practical skills to meet industry demands has been remarkable. The impact is so profound that Lagos is being recognized as a model for vocational and technical excellence.
The inculcation of 12 new trade courses with integrated entrepreneurship curricula in colleges across the state is a strategic move that has further repositioned technical education in Lagos. In the 2023/2024 academic session, 85% of students who graduated from Lagos technical colleges across the state have secured employment or become self-employed.
The success in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application is setting the pace to transform the state’s workforce landscape and drive inclusive economic growth.
Acknowledging that education must be accessible to all regardless of age, life situation, or economic status, the Sanwo-Olu-led administration has sustained investments in infrastructure, learning resources, and capacity-building initiatives to sustain ongoing reforms in the education sector.
With the strategic support of stakeholders, civil society groups, and private sector actors, the government is expanding educational access and fostering a more inclusive learning environment, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
•Akinfenwa is of Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.
