The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has called for an urgent redesign of Nigeria’s secondary education curriculum, stressing the need to align it with future leadership demands and global realities.
Hamzat made the call at the 80th Anniversary of Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, themed “Inspiring the Future”, where he served as guest speaker.
Addressing dignitaries, alumni, students, and educators gathered in the school hall, he emphasised that Nigeria must rethink, reimagine, and reinvest in basic education if it is to produce leaders capable of navigating a complex and rapidly evolving world.
“To prepare leaders who can navigate this future, we must redesign the curriculum, the environment, and the expectations of secondary education,” he said.
“Secondary school is not merely a transitional phase, but a critical training ground where minds are moulded, character is sculpted, and vision is birthed.”
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Hamzat urged the private sector, civil society organisations, alumni associations, and community leaders to join government efforts to create a future-focused secondary education system.
He noted that education must become Nigeria’s new national security priority, with classrooms serving as the chambers of leadership formation.
“Let us recommit ourselves—educators, parents, governments, private sector actors, and alumni—to making our secondary schools the launch pads of Nigeria’s renaissance,” he said.
Underscoring the role of education in nation-building, he declared that no country can rise above the quality of its education, nor can any generation surpass the leadership capacity of its youth.
Hamzat described the secondary school as the bridge between childhood and adulthood—a phase where students learn not only academic knowledge but also values such as resilience, civic responsibility, and moral courage.
Speaking on the demands of modern leadership, Hamzat said it now requires empathy, foresight, technological fluency, and ethical strength.
He noted that today’s children are growing up in a world shaped by artificial intelligence, climate change, financial disruptions, political polarisation, and social inequality—factors that must be reflected in education reform.
Hamzat also highlighted Lagos State’s commitment to education through the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, which places education and technology at the centre of sustainable development.
According to him, the state’s investments in secondary education are intentional and transformative, designed to develop holistic leaders who can solve problems, communicate effectively, and act with integrity.
He called on universities and think tanks to provide curriculum support and research to strengthen the secondary education system, adding that leadership development, ethics, and public speaking should be integral parts of every school’s curriculum.
Celebrating the host school’s legacy, Hamzat praised Olivet Baptist High School for producing generations of leaders, innovators, and public servants over the past eight decades.
“Olivet has remained a beacon of excellence,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the National President of the Olivet Old Students Association (NOSA), Wale Okediran, said the school has maintained a balanced and holistic curriculum that supports academic excellence, sports, and leadership development.
He noted that the institution has undergone significant transformation, with increased student enrolment and the emergence of a new generation of well-trained teachers taking leadership roles.
Okediran added that Olivet has evolved from relying solely on government support to receiving robust backing from its alumni network.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the 80th Anniversary Central Planning Committee, Olusegun Ahmadu, described Olivet as more than a school, calling it a crucible of excellence and a symbol of societal impact.
He urged alumni and stakeholders to continue investing in the school’s future.Royal father of the day, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeri III (Ajirotutu I), commended the school for producing distinguished leaders and professionals across sectors.
He cautioned students against the use of hard drugs, warning of the severe impact on their health and academic performance, and urged parents to monitor their children’s activities closely.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of awards to distinguished alumni who have made notable contributions to society, including Gbenga Omotoso, Hamzat, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
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