- Sanwo-Olu Pledges Support for UBEC’s Smart Model School in Lagos
- Sanwo-Olu emphasized that education remains the foundation of national development
- Sanwo-Olu stressed the role of education in securing Nigeria’s independence
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to provide quality education across the country, particularly in Lagos.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, made this known during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary and Board Members of UBEC at the Office of the Deputy Governor, Roundhouse, Alausa, Ikeja.
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Sanwo-Olu emphasized that education remains the foundation of national development and must be treated as a priority. He stated, “In 2025, no child in Nigeria should be out of school. Education should not be defined by region, culture, or tradition; it is a fundamental right. Once we get primary education right, the future of our children will be secured.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working with UBEC to provide qualified teachers, adequate security, and the necessary infrastructure for the Smart Model School built by the Commission in Lagos.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, the Governor called for peer review among states, encouraging real-time knowledge sharing by UBEC to meet the needs of each state.
He noted that best practices in Lagos and other states could be replicated nationwide to drive overall national development.
Referring to Badagry’s history as a former slave route, Sanwo-Olu stressed the role of education in securing Nigeria’s independence and self-sufficiency, adding that the country must never again rely on external powers for progress.
He also commended UBEC’s new funding model, which allows states to utilize resources according to their specific needs, describing it as a welcome improvement over the one-size-fits-all approach.
The Governor further urged education stakeholders to embrace data-driven planning, pay closer attention to special needs, and introduce proactive health checks such as vision and hearing assessments for pupils to ensure that no child is excluded from learning.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, explained that the board’s visit to Lagos was to seek partnership with the state government in areas such as teacher recruitment, school security, student transportation, and the completion of infrastructure for the Smart Model School in Badagry.
Garba stated that the school has the capacity to accommodate nearly a thousand students and is equipped with advanced facilities, including computers and interactive smart boards. She stressed the importance of state government support in sustaining the investment.
She added, “We built the Smart School at Iworo Ajido in Badagry, which is one of the largest smart schools by UBEC. It is important that we work together to sustain this project by ensuring adequate teachers, transportation for students, and security.”
Garba also noted that Lagos leads in education outcomes nationwide, which informed the decision to host the commission’s quarterly meeting in the state. According to her, this allows other State Universal Basic Education Boards to learn from the Lagos model.
“We chose Lagos for the senior management retreat in the Southern Zone because of its leadership in education outcomes. For us, it is crucial to operate through one of the best models in the country,” she said.
She further called for collaboration between the Lagos State Government and UBEC, especially in engaging the private sector, given Lagos’ position as home to some of the largest private education service providers in Nigeria.
According to her, the commission hopes to replicate the Lagos model in other states, particularly in Southern Nigeria, and to encourage the private sector to establish more low-cost schools to improve access and learning outcomes.
