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Gbajabiamila Builds First Govt Secondary School in Itire-Ikate LCDA, Lagos — Ends Decades of Educational Hardship
Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has inaugurated the first-ever public secondary school in the Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Surulere, Lagos State a historic project he personally funded to bridge the education gap in the community.
The new institution, Femi Gbajabiamila Junior Secondary School, is the first of its kind in the area’s history and is expected to transform access to education for hundreds of children who previously had to travel long distances to neighbouring districts for schooling.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, Gbajabiamila represented by Lanre Okunola, the lawmaker representing Surulere II Federal Constituency described the event as a “defining milestone” in the quest for inclusive, quality education.
“This is not merely the opening of a new institution but the birth of opportunity, progress, and renewed hope for generations to come,” he said.
The President’s Chief of Staff lamented the years of hardship faced by students and parents in the Itire-Ikate area, noting that the absence of a public secondary school had long denied many children the opportunity to learn in a safe, nearby environment.
“For the first time in the history of Itire-Ikate, this community now has a public secondary school within its borders. Some faced daily hardships and safety concerns, while others abandoned their education altogether. Today, that struggle has ended,” he declared.
Gbajabiamila emphasized that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes education as a cornerstone of national development.
“This school reflects President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda a commitment to supporting education at all levels across Nigeria,” he said.
He also reaffirmed his lifelong dedication to educational advancement, recalling his efforts in championing the Students’ Loan Bill, now signed into law by the President.
“Education empowers individuals, transforms communities, and builds nations,” he noted. “It does not start at university; it begins in schools like this, where young minds are nurtured and shaped for the future.”
Gbajabiamila expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for integrating the new school into the state’s educational structure. He added that the institution would not only provide quality education but also create employment opportunities and foster community pride.
“This school will create jobs for teachers, administrators, and support staff, serving as a centre of learning and community pride. When a community invests in education, it invests in peace, prosperity, and continuity,” he added.
The inauguration marks a new chapter for the Itire-Ikate community, which now joins the ranks of Lagos neighbourhoods with access to standard public education facilities.