President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that sustained investment in education is the most effective way to reduce crime and secure Nigeria’s future, describing education as a cornerstone of national development and social stability.
He made the remarks during the commissioning of the regenerated Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle, Lagos, where he said the project represents a strategic investment in human capital and a reflection of purposeful governance.
The President, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, commended the Lagos State Government for delivering what he described as a world-class educational facility capable of competing with institutions anywhere in the world.
“I don’t know how the Governor did it, but this can compete with any university anywhere in the world. When you open the doors to schools, you close the doors to prisons,” Tinubu said.
He noted that the upgraded complex, which can accommodate over 22,000 students, would significantly improve learning outcomes and expand opportunities for children, particularly those from underserved communities.
Tinubu urged students to take full advantage of the facilities, describing them as future leaders of the country and emphasising that education remains a pathway out of poverty.
“Through education, prosperity will come to you. Poverty has been banished from your families,” he said.
He also praised Lagos State for its infrastructure development, describing it as a model for other states across Nigeria.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the project reflects a complete transformation of the historic Tolu Schools Complex into a modern “school city” designed for 21st-century learning.
He explained that the facility now comprises five primary schools, 15 junior secondary schools, and 16 senior secondary schools, supported by laboratories, ICT centres, vocational training hubs, and sports infrastructure.
Sanwo-Olu said the redevelopment was necessary to address long-standing challenges such as overcrowding, flooding, and infrastructural decay that previously affected learning in the area.
“No child should have to fight floodwater to access education. What we have done here is not a facelift, but a complete re-imagination of public education,” he said.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the project as a landmark achievement and a strong statement of commitment to Nigeria’s education future.
He said the facility demonstrates the importance of collaboration between federal and state governments in improving access, equity, and quality in education delivery.
According to him, more than one million out-of-school children have been returned to classrooms in the past 30 months under ongoing reforms, with special attention to the girl-child.
He added that the complex aligns with the Federal Government’s broader agenda of expanding access to education, strengthening technical and vocational training, and improving infrastructure nationwide.
The Tolu Schools Complex, originally established in 1981, has now been rebuilt into one of the largest integrated education hubs in West Africa, with capacity for over 20,000 students and modern facilities aimed at improving both academic and extracurricular development.
The commissioning also featured the unveiling of a stadium within the complex, equipped with 19 mini football pitches, reinforcing the government’s focus on youth development through sports.