Oluremi Tinubu: Establishment of Alternative High School Inspired by Gaps in Girls’ Education

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, emphasized her commitment to bridging the gap in girls’ education in Nigeria, highlighting her support for the education of the girl child during the launch of the Alternative High Schools for Girls in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.

Tinubu stated, “This ceremony marks the beginning of a new opportunity for exceptional young girls and women to access higher education and valuable skills, providing them with a chance for a promising future. I introduced the idea of establishing an alternative high school for girls in 2007, which was embraced and implemented by the Lagos State Ministry of Education during my husband’s tenure as governor of Lagos State. This school continues to operate successfully to date.”

As an educator and lifelong teacher, Tinubu expressed her motivation to provide a second chance for young girls and women who dropped out of school due to various reasons, including unplanned pregnancies, cultural barriers, and economic constraints, enabling them to fulfill their potential in life.

She lamented the barriers hindering girls’ education and stressed the importance of education in empowering girls to make informed decisions about their health and future.

Tinubu highlighted the alarming rate of school dropout and emphasized the need for alternative educational solutions, revealing that Osun State was selected as the location for the school through a transparent process involving the state first ladies.

Governor Ademola Adeleke affirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting girl child education and providing necessary support for the successful operation of the school upon completion.

He outlined various initiatives aimed at strengthening families’ capacity to meet basic needs and addressing issues of sexual violence against women, including the establishment of mobile courts to try cases of domestic sexual violence and empowering women through cooperative loan schemes.

Dr. Ahmed Bobboi, the Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education, commended the Adeleke administration for its contributions to the growth and development of basic education in the state, expressing confidence that the new school would achieve its targets under the administration’s leadership.