Lagos gov’t commissions Nigeria’s first alternative secondary school for girls
By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Lagos State Government has commissioned Nigeria’s first Alternative Secondary School for Girls, a landmark initiative aimed at giving girls whose education has been disrupted a second chance to acquire quality secondary education and relevant skills.
The school, located on Old Ojo Road, Agboju, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, was commissioned on Friday, August 14, 2026, by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, who was represented at the ceremony by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima.
The initiative is designed to provide an alternative pathway for girls who have dropped out of school due to social, economic, personal or other circumstances, enabling them to return to education, develop vocational skills and prepare for further academic and economic opportunities.
In her keynote address, Senator Tinubu reaffirmed her commitment to promoting education, empowerment and opportunities for Nigerian girls, while commending the Lagos State Government for complementing Federal Government efforts in expanding access to education.
She called for the establishment of at least one alternative high school for girls in each senatorial district, stressing that girls should be given the opportunity to rebuild their lives through education.
“You can achieve what you want with dedication and resilience,” she told the students, urging them to see the institution as a platform to rebuild their dreams and acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence required to become productive citizens.
Also speaking, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, declared that no girl should be written off because circumstances interrupted her education.
“Every girl deserves a second chance,” she said, describing the initiative as a means of restoring dignity and hope to girls who may have lost confidence in their future.
According to her, the Renewed Hope School initiative has extended the concept of alternative education to the six geopolitical zones of the country, with education and technology remaining key pillars of the Lagos State Government’s development agenda.
She assured that the state government would sustain the programme and ensure that the school continues to provide opportunities for its beneficiaries.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, described the establishment of the school as a bold and innovative response to the realities faced by girls whose education had been disrupted.
Alli-Balogun said the circumstances that forced the beneficiaries out of school should not permanently determine their future, adding that the institution provides an alternative route for them to return to formal education, regain confidence and acquire skills for further education, entrepreneurship and participation in society.
Addressing the students, the Commissioner said, “This school tells you that your story is not over. A setback is not the end. With hard work, discipline, and the support around you, you can rewrite your future. We all believe in you.”
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Aisha Garba, in her goodwill message, maintained that no child’s circumstances should determine his or her future.
Garba commended Senator Tinubu for her support for Nigerian children, noting that the second alternative school, located in Ikorodu, would soon be commissioned.
She added that the Federal Government was considering further reforms and initiatives to expand the Alternative High School for Girls programme across the country.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the Ovori of Ibeshe Land, HRH Oba (Dr.) Gausu Alani Rasaki; Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Hakeem Shittu; and Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District V, Mr. Dauda Abiodun Hassan.
They described the initiative as a timely intervention for vulnerable and out-of-school girls, stressing that investment in girls’ education has significant benefits for families, communities and the wider economy.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of gifts to outstanding students of the school in recognition of their performance in various skills and crafts by the First Lady of Lagos State.
The commissioning brought together government officials, education stakeholders, traditional rulers, development partners, parents and members of the community, who hailed the project as a significant step towards reducing educational exclusion and expanding opportunities for girls and young women.
The initiative is expected to strengthen efforts to ensure that interrupted education does not become a permanent barrier to the personal, academic and economic advancement of Nigerian girls.