Gbajabiamila: I Donated School to Ease Hardship for Itire-Ikate Students, Parents

The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, has explained that his decision to build and donate a public secondary school to the Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Surulere, Lagos, stemmed from the long-standing hardship faced by students, parents, teachers, and community members.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Femi Gbajabiamila Junior Secondary School, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives described the project as a landmark intervention aimed at ensuring inclusive and accessible education for all.

“This event marks a defining milestone in our collective pursuit of accessible, quality education for every child in this community,” Gbajabiamila said. “It is not merely the opening of a new institution but the birth of opportunity, progress, and renewed hope for generations to come. For the first time in the history of Itire-Ikate, this community now has a public secondary school within its borders.”

Represented by Mr. Lanre Okunola, the lawmaker representing Surulere II Federal Constituency, Gbajabiamila noted that for many years, parents had watched their children travel long distances to attend schools outside the community — a situation that often led to safety risks and school dropouts.

“Some faced daily hardships and safety concerns, while others abandoned their education altogether. Today, that struggle has ended,” he said. “This school stands as a beacon of inclusion, ensuring that no child in Itire-Ikate is left behind because of geography or circumstances. This also aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen education at all levels.”

Gbajabiamila emphasized that education remains the foundation of every prosperous society, empowering individuals and transforming communities.

“Education does not start at university; it begins in schools like this, where young minds are nurtured and shaped for the future,” he added.

In his remarks, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, praised the project as a powerful example of how public–private collaboration can transform communities.

“The inauguration of Femi Gbajabiamila Junior and Senior Secondary School is a testament to the power of philanthropy and dedication in driving transformative innovation,” Sanwo-Olu said. “The frontier of education governance globally is built on partnership. This life-changing project will impact countless students, shaping the future and strengthening education in Itire-Ikate and Lagos State as a whole.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Mr. Oluwafemi Odunayo, commended Gbajabiamila for his consistent commitment to community development and youth empowerment.

“This is a testament to Gbajabiamila’s unwavering dedication to the progress of our community and the education of our young people,” Odunayo said.

The event marked a new milestone in Surulere’s educational landscape, reinforcing Lagos State’s drive to provide equitable learning opportunities for every child.

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