By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Girls and young mothers whose education was interrupted by early pregnancy, socio-economic challenges and other circumstances are getting a second chance to return to school, complete their education and acquire vocational skills in Lagos.
The opportunity is being provided through the rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls in Agboju, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, commissioned on Saturday by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Dr Aisha Garba, Executive Secretary of UBEC, said the school will serve as alternative pathway for girls and young women unable to continue through the conventional school system, according to a statement by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser (Media and Communications), obtained by PersecondNews.
It will also offer academic education alongside practical skills training to help beneficiaries build productive futures.
“A girl who drops out of school should not be regarded as a lost cause. A young mother who wants to return to school should not be told that her time has passed.
“A girl whose circumstances prevented her from completing her education should be given an alternative opportunity to return to education,” Garba said.
She explained that the Alternative High School for Girls gives beneficiaries the opportunity to return to learning, complete their education, acquire useful vocational skills and build productive and fulfilling futures.
She stressed that their circumstances should not determine their access to quality education or their future prospects.
Garba traced the vision behind the school to 2007, during Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s tenure as First Lady of Lagos State, and commended her sustained commitment to ensuring that girls and young women have opportunities to learn, develop their abilities and fulfil their potential.
She said the initiative also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education and human capital development among national priorities.
The UBEC Executive Secretary acknowledged the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, who represented the First Lady at the event, for her commitment to education and vulnerable children.
She also commended the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, for supporting educational and mentorship initiatives that promote academic development, character formation and life skills among young people.
The rehabilitated school comprises two blocks with more than 26 classrooms, facilities for Agriculture, Physics and Biology, as well as vocational training areas for cosmetology, garment-making, hairdressing, catering and home economics.
It also has a library and ICT facilities to strengthen both academic learning and practical skills development.
Garba revealed that work was ongoing on another Alternative High School for Girls in Ikorodu, Lagos State, as part of efforts to expand access to alternative education and provide more girls and young women with opportunities to continue their education.
Hajiya Nana Shettima, representing the First Lady, described the education of the girl child as paramount to nation building and expressed appreciation for UBEC’s intervention in rehabilitating and equipping the school.
She recalled that the institution was established to enable girls affected by early pregnancy and other socio-economic challenges to return to school, complete their secondary education and acquire vocational skills.
She called on students the students to remain focused and resilient, stressing that their past experiences should not define their future, and encouraged them to make full use of the educational and skills opportunities provided by the institution.
On her part, First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who represented the Lagos State Governor, described the commissioning as the unveiling of a new opportunity for young women, noting that the rehabilitation had restored dignity and opened new possibilities for its beneficiaries.
” Educating a girl strengthens not only the individual but also the family, community and nation.”
The commissioning marks a significant step in strengthening alternative education as a pathway for girls and young women who have been unable to continue through the conventional school system.
With academic, ICT and vocational facilities now available, beneficiaries can pursue secondary education while developing practical skills that can support their future livelihoods.
Garba reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment to working with state governments and relevant stakeholders to expand alternative education, improve learning environments and strengthen skills acquisition programmes for girls and young women across Nigeria.
She emphasized that the Commission would continue to create pathways for children and young people whose education has been disrupted to return to learning, acquire relevant skills and contribute meaningfully to national development, because every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and fulfil their potential.
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