Oyebanji has expended a total of ₦14,293,424,499 on education under the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project to significantly improve infrastructure, digital access, student welfare, and learning outcomes in all the 203 public secondary schools across Ekiti State.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, who made this known in Ado Ekiti, said the target is to boost secondary education opportunities by creating a sustainable, conducive, safe, and technologically equipped learning environment.
Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun added that the investments are also intended to increase school enrollment, security, and support indigent students in an unwavering commitment to transforming education in line with global standards.
According to him, about ₦60.7 million was paid as conditional cash transfers to 2,808 indigent students to keep them in school, adding that 60 vulnerable children and Gender Based Violence (GBV) survivors were provided support including school uniforms, books, and learning materials for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 sessions while 2,978 furniture items were procured to meet the needs of growing student populations and 41,736 students enrolled in Safe Space sessions across 202 schools, focusing on life skills, self-confidence, and personal development.
Giving a further breakdown, Olatunbosun said a total of 1,415 classrooms were renovated and 83 new ones constructed to address overcrowding and enhance learning environments, gender-friendly toilets and WASH facilities were provided in all 203 public schools in the State with 419 modern toilets were built and 277 existing ones renovated to promote dignity and inclusiveness as well as ensure hygienic facilities for students while 32 new boreholes were sunk and 8 rehabilitated to improve access to clean water.
He added that apart from completing perimeter fencing of 48 schools to improve safety and security, the State Government also installed CCTV and other security gadgets in 48 schools and provided lawn mowers and slashers to all public schools for improved school environment management.
He said, “2,716 laptops and 1,470 desktop computers were distributed to public schools to foster digital literacy, while Smart boards were installed in all public schools in the State to enhance interactive learning.
Printers were also supplied to 78 schools, while 74 schools got photocopiers and internet facilities installed in 125 schools to facilitate online learning and global connectivity with 5KVA inverters were installed in all 203 public schools in the State to ensure uninterrupted power supply for digital devices and learning equipment.
“The present administration, in addition, renovated and furnished 18 libraries, 69 science laboratories, and 67 multipurpose halls to enrich academic resources and practical learning experiences, while teaching and learning materials for laboratories were provided in 56 schools.
“Education is the bedrock of our future, and this investment reflects our deep commitment to building human capital in Ekiti. Every child, regardless of background or gender, deserves access to quality education in a safe, modern environment. We are not just renovating buildings—we are reshaping destinies,” he concluded.
