Three New Secondary Schools Sponsored by Hon. Wale Raji to Commence in September as Lawmaker Meets Lagos Education Commissioner

In a renewed demonstration of his unwavering commitment to grassroots development through education, kakalistiq.com reports that the lawmaker representing Epe Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Rep. Wale Raji, on Friday, announced that three newly constructed secondary schools in underserved communities of Ilege, Oko-Abe, and Owu-Ikosi, are set to commence full academic operations in September 2025.

The announcement was made by the lawmaker during a meeting with the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, at the State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja. The purpose of the meeting was to officially notify the Ministry of the construction and completion of the school buildings and furnishing to facilitate collaborative action towards their operational take-off.

Speaking during the meeting, Rep. Wale Raji, who was accompanied by his Senior Legislative Aide on General Administration, Mr. Hassan Bashir, and Senior Legislative Aide on Media and Youth Affairs, Mr. Kaka Babatunde, described the move as part of a long-term vision to democratize access to quality education across all underserved communities within his constituency.

“This is not just a project, but a moral obligation to bring quality education to the doorsteps of children in rural and underserved areas,” the lawmaker said. “With these schools now ready, we are hopeful that no child in the Epe Federal Constituency will be denied the right to learn due to location or circumstances of birth.”

The visit, which he described as a “forward-thinking dialogue,” centered on critical matters such as the deployment of qualified teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as the enrollment process for students who will begin academic activities in the coming term.

It would be recalled that following a passionate appeal by the three beneficiary communities last year, Rep. Raji initiated consultations with officials of the State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to seek necessary approvals for the establishment of these schools. The goal, according to him, is to remove barriers to education and “level the playing field for children in communities historically left behind.”

Each of the new schools is equipped with two blocks of six classrooms, complete with furniture and toilets, to ensure a conducive environment for learning.

At Oko-Abe in Ward C1 of Epe Local Government, the school will serve children from communities including Oguntedo, Oregun, Ito-Omu, Gadangba, Ladaba, Idi-Afon, Ishan, Ibon, Moyopa, Orepete, Oriba, Lamudi, Oriogoro, and Mayunre. The school in Ilege, located in Ward D1, Lekki LCDA, will cater to students from Imobido, Okeyanta, Idasho, Lekuru, Orijeru, Magbonsegun, Okesegun, and Mosa. Likewise, the Owu-Ikosi school will serve nearby communities including the families of the newly relocated Oko-Baba Surmail traders hungry for access to learning.

In addition to the three new schools, Rep. Raji also updated the Commissioner on other critical education infrastructure projects currently underway. These include a new 12-classroom storey building for a senior secondary school in Temu, Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, a similar structure at Pobuna Secondary School in Eredo LCDA to ease congestion, and a six-classroom block at Lofi Ogunmude, also in Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA.

Furthermore, he highlighted the massive upgrades taking place at Epe Grammar School, which include: construction of a Mini stadium; Two 100-bed boys’ and girls’ hostels; Principal lodges for both junior and senior schools and Corpers’/Teachers’ Lodge. Others include the conversion of a classroom block for hostel accommodation;

Dining hall and modern kitchen construction; reconstruction of the heritage classroom block; construction of tarred road networks within the school compound and the construction of an ICT Centre.

Commending the Lagos State Government’s role, the lawmaker added, “I deeply appreciate the cooperation of the Ministry and the commitment of the State Government. We’re on the same page when it comes to investing in the next generation.”

He also used the occasion to extend an invitation to Hon. Jamiu Alli-Balogun to formally commission the completed schools, stating that the likely date for the official handover would be finalized within the next one month.

In his remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, applauded the lawmaker’s initiative, describing the visit as timely and strategic.

 

He further stressed the importance of ensuring that the physical infrastructure is matched with adequate support services, including staff offices, teaching materials, and security infrastructure, promising that the Ministry was already engaging with TESCOM, Education District III, and other key stakeholders to ensure a seamless take-off.

He acknowledged the receipt of correspondence from the Lawmaker which is being processed. He pledged his commitment to seeing that the schools open their doors to students as planned come September.

The meeting marked another significant milestone in the ongoing collaborative efforts between Rep. Wale Raji and the Lagos State Government to transform public education and ensure that every child in Epe Federal Constituency has access to a functional and inclusive learning environment.