The Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA), has broken new ground in Lagos’ public education landscape by commencing the construction of the state’s first smart primary school to be fully initiated and funded by a local council.
The landmark project, unveiled on Monday, July 27, 2026, as part of activities marking the first anniversary of Aroyewun’s administration, is being celebrated as one of the most ambitious investments in basic education ever undertaken by a council authority in Lagos State.
Designed to combine traditional classroom learning with modern digital technology, the proposed school is expected to significantly ease the pressure on existing public primary schools while expanding access to quality education for thousands of children across Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA and neighbouring communities.
Speaking during the foundation-laying ceremony, Aroyewun said the project was conceived after his administration discovered a glaring gap in educational infrastructure within one of the fastest-growing corridors of the council.
According to him, the entire stretch from Zumuratul to Agunfoye Junction, covering more than 30 Community Development Associations (CDAs), currently has no public primary school, forcing hundreds of pupils to travel considerable distances each day to attend schools in Eleja, AUD and adjoining communities.
“What we found was unacceptable,” the chairman said. “Children at the foundation level of education should not have to endure long and stressful journeys simply to access public schools. This project is our response to that challenge.”
A school designed for the future
Unlike conventional public primary schools, the proposed facility is being planned as a technology-driven learning environment capable of preparing pupils for an increasingly digital world.
The project will comprise 30 modern classrooms, an ultra-modern Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre equipped with more than 200 laptops, a fully stocked library, administrative block, outdoor recreational facilities, relaxation hub, spacious car park and a standard football pitch.
In addition, classrooms will be fitted with digital television screens serving as interactive teaching boards, enabling the integration of multimedia instruction, artificial intelligence-supported learning and other technology-enabled teaching methods into everyday classroom activities.
Aroyewun said the vision is to expose pupils to digital education from their earliest years and position them to compete confidently in a rapidly evolving global knowledge economy.
He appealed to residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to support the initiative, expressing confidence that the project would be completed within its projected 24-month construction period, or even earlier.
Responding to a growing education deficit
The significance of the project was further underscored by the Executive Secretary of the Ikorodu Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), who described the initiative as a timely intervention in an education system already operating under considerable pressure.
According to him, Ikorodu Division currently has the highest enrolment in public primary education anywhere in Lagos State, with more than 35,000 pupils being taught by approximately 2,000 teachers.
Despite this growing population, he noted that the division has only 69 approved public primary schools, leaving existing facilities overstretched and creating an urgent need for additional classroom space.
He praised the council chairman for looking beyond conventional school construction to embrace a smart education model capable of meeting future learning needs.
According to the education administrator, the project has the potential to become the first fully council-funded smart public primary school in Lagos State.
The member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Babajimi Benson, also commended Aroyewun for what he described as a bold and visionary investment in the future of children across the council area.
Benson said the smart primary school demonstrates the impact of purposeful leadership at the grassroots and pledged to collaborate with other members of the National Assembly and the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ikorodu Division to facilitate the establishment of additional public primary schools across communities where access remains inadequate.
According to the federal lawmaker, closing the deficit in basic education infrastructure requires sustained collaboration among all tiers of government, noting that every child, regardless of location, deserves access to quality learning in a conducive environment.
Stakeholders hail transformative investment
Despite persistent rainfall throughout the ceremony, the event attracted a large gathering of traditional rulers, political leaders, education administrators, community development associations, artisans, religious leaders and residents, reflecting widespread support for the initiative.
The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oba Barrister Abdulsemiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, described the project as a visionary investment that would transform educational opportunities for generations of children while strengthening the long-term development of the community.
Several speakers also commended Aroyewun for prioritising education as a strategic driver of community development, noting that investments in schools ultimately translate into stronger economic growth, social stability and improved quality of life.
Among dignitaries present were Governance Advisory Council (GAC) members Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Senator Seye Ogunlewe and Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya; the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson; Lagos State House of Assembly member Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA); Hon. Gafaar Bolowotan; the Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos Education District II, Mr Omotayo Layemo Sanni; APC leaders, former council chairmen, legislative and management officials, and representatives of various professional and community organisations.
Many described the groundbreaking ceremony as the beginning of a new chapter in the delivery of public basic education across Ikorodu Division.
A legacy beyond infrastructure
While the project is expected to provide much-needed classroom space, many observers believe its true significance lies in its attempt to redefine what public primary education should look like in the digital age.
If completed as envisioned, the smart school could serve as a model for other local governments seeking to modernise public education through technology, innovation and community-focused planning.
For Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, the project is more than another public building; it is an investment in future generations and a statement that quality education should not be determined by geography or economic status.
The Conscience Call
Every enduring society is built on the strength of its classrooms. While roads, markets and other infrastructure remain important, investments in education often yield the greatest long-term returns.
The true legacy of any administration is not measured merely by projects commissioned, but by opportunities created for future generations. If successfully completed and properly maintained, the Igbogbo/Baiyeku Smart Primary School could become a benchmark for grassroots educational development, not only in Lagos State but across Nigeria.
