Chioma Vivian James
First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that girls whose education has been disrupted by early pregnancy, poverty and other socio-economic challenges are given a second chance to rebuild their lives and fulfil their potential.
The First Lady made the declaration as she commissioned the newly renovated and fully equipped Alternative High School for Girls in Agboju, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, a landmark intervention designed to return vulnerable and out-of-school girls to the path of education and skills development.
The school, originally established in 2007 during the tenure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Governor of Lagos State, was conceived to provide girls whose education had been interrupted with an opportunity to resume their studies, complete secondary education and acquire practical vocational skills.
Represented at the commissioning by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, Senator Tinubu described the initiative as a reflection of the conviction that no girl or woman should be denied the opportunity to realise her full potential because of the challenges she encounters in life.
The renovated facility comprises two blocks with more than 26 classrooms, alongside modern facilities including Agriculture, Physics and Biology laboratories, cosmetology, garment-making, hairdressing, catering and home economics sections. It also boasts a well-equipped library and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities.
Senator Tinubu expressed satisfaction with the transformation of the school through the intervention of the#_w Universal Basic Education% Commission (UBEC) and commended its Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, and her team for their commitment to improving learning environments for Nigerian children.
She equally applauded UBEC’s efforts to establish Alternative High Schools for Girls across the country, particularly the ongoing construction of another facility in Ikorodu, Lagos State, which she said would soon be ready for commissioning.
According to the First Lady, the broader vision is to establish at least one Alternative High School for Girls in each of Lagos State’s three senatorial districts. With Lagos West and Lagos East already having such institutions, she urged the Lagos State Government to complete the vision by establishing another school in Lagos Central.
She also called for the effective management and maintenance of all the schools to ensure that more girls benefit from the initiative.
Addressing the students, Senator Tinubu urged them to embrace the opportunity before them and refuse to allow their past experiences to determine their future.
“Let your past not define your future. With determination, discipline and hard work, you can achieve your dreams and become positive contributors to our nation’s development.”
The Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the commissioning as the unveiling of a transformed school that has restored dignity and opened new opportunities for young women.
She emphasised the far-reaching impact of educating girls, noting that “educating a girl is educating a family, a community and a nation.”
The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, said the Commission remained committed to expanding alternative access to education while integrating skills development into the learning process.
Dr. Garba explained that the renovation of the Agboju Alternative High School for Girls formed part of the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to providing inclusive educational opportunities for vulnerable girls.
She disclosed that construction of the Alternative High School for Girls in Ikorodu was ongoing and would be commissioned upon completion.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education and the Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
A major highlight of the ceremony was the inspection of the renovated facilities by the representative of the First Lady, Hajiya Nana Shettima.
The commissioning marks another significant step towards creating pathways for girls who may have been forced out of formal education to return to the classroom, acquire marketable skills and contribute meaningfully to society.
For the beneficiaries of the Agboju school, the message is clear: a disrupted past does not have to mean a destroyed future.
