The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) has affirmed that the upgrade of 24 public schools across the state with educational materials and infrastructure worth at ₦124.46 million was to align with the Social Inclusion pillar of the THEMES Plus Agenda of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

Implemented under the COWLSO School Community Project 3.0, the intervention reached 24 schools across the six education districts, comprising 12 primary inclusive schools and 12 secondary inclusive schools.

The First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, stated in an address at the event that the 2026 phase of the project entailed classroom renovation, provision of potable water, installation of perimeter fencing, equipping of laboratories and ICT centres, and supply of essential learning materials tailored to inclusive education.

According to her, this interventions aligns with the Social Inclusion pillar of the THEMES Plus Agenda of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

She reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality education for all children in the state.

Coordinator of the COWLSO Schools Committee and retired Permanent Secretary, Anike Adekanye, said the initiative underscores a deliberate commitment to inclusive education and improved learning environments.

She explained that Project 3.0 commenced on July 17, 2024, following an engagement at Pacelli School for the Blind, adding that the programme has since focused on addressing infrastructure gaps and supporting students with special needs.

Adekanye listed key interventions under the project, including renovation of classroom blocks at Sango Senior School in Agege and Ipakodo Primary School; reconstruction of a collapsed structure at Addo Primary School; provision of furniture at Ibeju Junior High School; and distribution of wheelchairs to Sabo School in Ikorodu.

She added that the project also delivered upgrades to health facilities and water supply at LA Primary School, Iba, alongside the installation of learning equipment across beneficiary schools.

Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Akeem Shittu, said every child possesses the ability regardless of physical condition, stressing the need to sustain inclusive education initiatives.

Also, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jami’u Ayinde Balogun, commended COWLSO for its sustained intervention and urged students to make effective use of the resources provided. He also acknowledged the role of teachers in sustaining educational outcomes.

Items distributed at the event included generators, ovens, desks, chairs, school bags, first-aid kits, gas cookers, computers, wardrobes, televisions, fans, public-address systems, and vocational-training equipment.

District Six alone received 80 units of furniture, while specialised materials such as wheelchairs and assistive learning tools were provided for students with disabilities.

Beneficiaries include Ikeja Junior High School, LA Primary School Iba, Ipakodo Primary School, Addo Primary School, Ibeju Junior High School, Wesley School for the Hearing Impaired, Pacelli School for the Blind, State Junior Grammar School Surulere and State Senior Grammar School Surulere.