Lagos spends N1.5bn on WASSCE for 56,134 students
Lagos State Government had fully sponsored the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for 56,134 final-year secondary school students at the cost of N1.5 billion.
Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, Commissioner, Ministry of Basic Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State, disclosed this on Thursday at the 2025 Lagos State Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja.
The briefing was for the ministry to give account of its stewardship in the past one year, in commemoration of the second year of the second term in office, of the state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to him, 17,575 students were successfully transferred from various public and private schools into the state’s Junior Secondary School II and Senior Secondary School I.
Alli-Balogun said that 5,815 candidates applied for admission into the state’s model colleges/upgraded secondary schools.
He said that after a rigorous selection process through an examination, 4,763 candidates who met the admission criteria were offered provisional admission, representing 81.9% admission rate.
He disclosed that plans were underway by the state government to increase the number of model colleges/upgraded secondary schools across the state.
He expressed delight at brilliant performances exhibited by Lagos State students in national and international competitions.
Alli-Balogun added that Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board established over 600 partnerships with local and international organisations, creating development, internship and employment opportunities for Lagos youths.
“This has created an enabling environment where 75 per cent of our graduates secured industry jobs, while 25 per cent pursued further education,” he added.
He reiterated that Project Zero, an initiative of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board aimed at returning out-of-school children to school had re-engaged over 300,000, kitted and enrolled them into various public schools across the state.
He said that the government had concluded plans to include construction of a vocational school and an inclusive centre in the construction and rehabilitation work at the Tolu Schools Complex at Ajegunle.
Alli-Balogun said the initiative was part of efforts to reposition the education sector in Lagos State.
According to him, 13 new classroom blocks are being constructed, while 24 are being rehabilitated with provisions of adequate security and boundary definitions as well as major access point and recreational facilities.
“Upon completion, Tolu Schools Complex will become a tourist attraction, showcasing effective management and welcoming visitors from various parts of the world.
“The undeniable massive construction and rehabilitation work in the complex cannot be overstated.
“This project is special for its peculiarity in terms of location of schools and high student population.
He said that the vocational school and inclusive centre were aimed to give opportunities to all students, with dedication of a zone for people living with disabilities.
“We are also constructing a central science and ICT hub where different students drawn from each of the schools will use the facilities,” he said.
Alli-Balogun added that the The Eko Learners’ Support initiative, introduced and broadcast on Lagos Television, was archived permanently on social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
According to him, these platforms enable candidates to continue engaging privately with resources, give feedbacks and ask questions.
He added that the initiative created a collaborative forum with faculty of teachers and learners.
The commissioner reiterated the commitment of the ministry, Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, LASTVEB and other agencies, to education development.
“The OEQA has been charged to be more effective in discharging its statutory responsibilities and will be expected to forward uncoloured reports of cases of truancy, sexual molestation, absenteeism, negligence and all.
“Any teacher found guilty of immoral acts, examination malpractice, or who sacrifices good performance for mediocrity, will be dealt with in accordance with extant laws.
`We have also called for swift action to revive various school activities that tap into students’ natural learning abilities to stimulate their physical and mental well-being, including reactivation of co-curricular activities that foster holistic development in students.”
The commissioner added that the ministry was implementing strategies which would promote interactive learning, such as incorporating hands-on activities, experiments and projects.
“This is aimed at encouraging students to learn by doing,” he said.
He also said that the ministry was doing much to promote sports, physical and health education programmes to promote physical fitness, teamwork and mental discipline.
“This encourages students to express themselves through art, music, drama, sports and other creative outlets that empower them to take ownership of their learning by leading projects, clubs, and organisations that align with their interests,” he added.
On innovation, he said the Innovate Eko STEAM Programme was introduced as part of Lagos State’s commitment to advancing education and technology, aligning with its T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda.
He noted that the agenda emphasised education and technology as key pillars for development.
“The programme responds to the global shift from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to STEAM, integrating Arts to foster creativity, critical thinking and inter-disciplinary problem-solving.
“By focusing on STEAM, Lagos aims to prepare its youths for a technology-driven world, while nurturing well-rounded innovative leaders.” (NAN)
