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By Tayo Ogunbiyi
As part of its commitment to continue to improve the infrastructure in all Lagos public schools, the Lagos State government has unveiled the newly constructed and rehabilitated 36 classroom blocks at the Tolu schools complex at Ajegunle in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government. The 36 classroom blocks were part of several people-oriented projects recently commissioned by the Lagos State Government. Executing such a magnitude of project in an environment that houses about 20,000 pupils, no doubt, speaks volumes of the people-oriented stance of the state government.
The Tolu school complex perhaps represents the largest concentration of schools in a single location anywhere in Africa. Located on an estimated 11.73 hectares of land, it comprises 36 schools: 31 public secondary schools and five primary schools situated in the densely populated Ajegunle axis of the state.
The facilities provided in the Tolu school complex include a standard football pitch with race tracks, a multipurpose sports court for different outdoor games, a fire service station in case of any fire outbreak, and a health center.
Others include perimeter fences around the entire complex and mega gates to control ingress and egress, thereby maintaining adequate security. Other facilities include water harvesting, a biodigester, and solar panels.
As a result of the soil texture in that location, all the newly constructed buildings were erected on a pile foundation 25 meters deep into the soil to allay the fear of building collapse.
Before the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s intervention, virtually all the school buildings at the complex were in different stages of dilapidation. School infrastructure renewal, being one of its administration’s strategic focuses, Governor Sanwo-Olu issued a directive for a total regeneration of the school complex.
For a school complex that was established in the early 1980s, the complex has just experienced a major redevelopment and transformation in terms of modern infrastructure. Indeed, it is the true definition of a breath of fresh air.
To reduce the student-to-classroom ratio from 70:1 to 50:1, an additional 13 new classroom blocks were constructed while rehabilitation works were carried out on 24 school buildings to enhance teaching and learning.
With the current state of things, Tolu school complex has become an all-inclusive citadel of learning where no child will be left behind. With the two newly constructed buildings for People Living with Disability (PLD), which consist of vertical lift facilities to aid movement from the ground floor to the last floor, the interests of PLDs have been sufficiently taken into consideration.
Similarly, a vocational school has also been established for students who so desire to acquire skills in key areas such as fashion designing, tailoring, craftsmanship, masonry, and plumbing, among others.
The impact of the regeneration drive in Tolu school complex cannot be overemphasized. Without doubt, it will improve the quality of education of students in that community as a result of the conducive learning environment. On the other hand, the provision of an Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub and a Central Laboratory Center will help prepare the students to acquire skills in science, engineering, and other related fields.
Across all developed and developing nations, one principle remains constant: the quality of a society’s future is directly linked to the quality of its educational system. Education shapes skills. It influences productivity. It defines opportunity. Yet, access to quality education remains uneven in many rapidly growing urban areas.
Population growth often outpaces infrastructure development.
Communities expand, but educational facilities do not always follow at the same pace. The result is overcrowded classrooms, long travel distances for students, and learning environments that do not fully support academic development.
This is the gap that the Tolu Complex seeks to fill. This educational facility represents a deliberate effort to bring learning closer to the people. And proximity, in education, is not a minor consideration—it is fundamental. When schools are accessible, attendance improves. When attendance improves, learning outcomes improve.
And when learning outcomes improve, opportunities expand.
But access alone is not enough.
The quality of the learning environment also matters. Students require spaces that are conducive to concentration, interaction, and growth. Teachers require environments that support effective instruction. Communities require institutions that reflect their aspirations for the next generation. The Tolu complex addresses these needs. It is not merely a structure; it is a well-designed environment for learning.
An environment that provides the physical and psychological conditions necessary for education to thrive. There is also a broader societal dimension to consider. Schools are not isolated institutions. They are anchors within communities. They create stability.
They attract development. They foster social cohesion.
A well-functioning school does more than educate—it uplifts. It becomes a centre of activity, a source of pride, and a foundation for long-term community development.
Students require spaces that are conducive to concentration, interaction, and growth. Teachers require environments that support effective instruction. Communities require institutions that reflect their aspirations for the next generation.
When we properly consider this, it will be easier to begin to see a coherent approach to development as it enhances the development of human capital.
However, the significance of the commissioning of the project lies not merely in the structures themselves, but in what they represent. They represent a shift from fragmented systems to coordinated ones. They represent a commitment to bringing services closer to the people. They represent an understanding that development must be both institutional and human.
For Lagos, this is a step forward—not just in physical infrastructure, but in functional capacity. It is a step towards a city where governance works efficiently, where education is accessible and effective. And where growth is not only rapid, but structured and sustainable.
Ultimately, the success of the project will not be measured by its scale or design, but by its impact, by how easily citizens can access education.
To ensure the maintenance of the assets, it is cheering to note that the Lagos State Infrastructure Asset Management Agency (LASIAMA) has been mandated to take charge of the school building to avert deterioration. Considering that we are yet to properly embrace a proper maintenance culture in our clime, this is indeed a good move
Till date, the Sanwo-Olu-led administration has injected about 1500 new classrooms into the school system, 423 classroom blocks have been rehabilitated, while over 300,000 dual composite students’ furniture have been supplied to various public schools in the state.
• Ogunbiyi is Director, Public Enlightenment and Community Relations, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja
