The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday inaugurated the first-ever secondary school in Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Surulere, Lagos State.
The school, named Gbajabiamila Junior and Senior Secondary School, was built and donated to the community by the Chief of Staff.
Speaking at the inauguration, Gbajabiamila—represented by Rep. Lanre Okunola (Surulere II Federal Constituency)—said the project marked a turning point for the community, ending the hardship parents had long faced in sending their children to distant schools.
“For the first time in the history of Itire-Ikate, this community now has a public secondary school within its borders. This is not just the opening of a new institution, but the birth of opportunity, progress, and renewed hope for generations to come,” he said.
A Solution to Years of Educational Hardship
Gbajabiamila noted that for years, children from the community travelled long distances to access secondary education, exposing them to risks and causing many to abandon schooling. He said the new school would serve as a beacon of inclusion and align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also spoke about his continuous commitment to education, recalling his championing of the Students’ Loan Bill, now a law aimed at ensuring access to tertiary education for all Nigerians, irrespective of economic background.
Education and Community Development
Gbajabiamila stated that the school would go beyond learning to creating employment opportunities for teachers and staff while promoting community pride and progress.
He expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for integrating the school into the public education framework.
State Government Commends Philanthropy
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, described the project as life-transforming and a symbol of the power of public-private collaboration.
“This school is a beacon of hope and reflects our commitment to building a better and brighter tomorrow. It aligns with the THEMES Plus Agenda of the state,” the governor said.
Stakeholders Applaud Initiative
Other dignitaries who spoke at the event included Rep. Fuad Laguda (Surulere I), Chairman of Coker/Aguda LCDA, Mr. Azeez Ogidan, and Chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Mr. Oluwafemi Odunayo.
They described the project as monumental, praising Gbajabiamila’s contributions to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and youth empowerment across Surulere.
The inauguration was attended by community leaders, traditional rulers including Oba Lateef Adams (Onikate of Surulere), lawmakers, and other stakeholders.
