FG Launches ₦47bn Initiative to Revamp 50 Secondary Schools Nationwide

The federal government has launched a ₦47.5 billion initiative to overhaul 50 secondary schools across the country, marking the first phase of a major intervention aimed at improving education infrastructure.

The project, unveiled at Government Secondary School, Koton Karfe, Kogi State, will modernize educational facilities, equipping schools with resources to enhance learning environments and better prepare students for future challenges.

Dr. Iyela Ajayi, Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), announced the initiative during the official launch on Wednesday. He emphasized that the intervention will focus on upgrading infrastructure, providing essential facilities, and enhancing capacity building. Each state in Nigeria will benefit from the first phase, with at least one school being renovated per state.

Ajayi expressed appreciation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the project, citing the urgent need for action following an assessment of over 40,000 senior secondary schools across the nation. “Neglecting secondary education means neglecting the future of our children,” Ajayi said, stressing the critical importance of the initiative.

The first phase of the project will see an investment of ₦47.5 billion, and Ajayi assured that progress would be reported to the president and relevant ministers upon completion. He also urged FirstMan Industries, the company responsible for the project, to ensure timely delivery and maintain quality standards.

NSSEC’s head of physical planning, Arc. Maimuna Umar, outlined the project’s scope, including the construction of a well-equipped laboratory, an ICT centre, an e-library, and a 10KVA inverter system to power computers. The initiative also addresses basic needs such as water supply through the provision of a borehole, and each classroom will be designed to accommodate at least 46 students.

Mr. Yunusa Dauda, principal of Government Secondary School, Koton Karfe, expressed gratitude for the long-awaited intervention. “For over 30 years, we have been struggling with poor facilities. Today, we thank the government and the NSSEC for recognizing the urgent need for improvements.”

FirstMan Industries’ Managing Director, Mr. Emmanuel Akanonu, assured full cooperation and pledged to deliver high-quality work.