EDUCATION: LAGOS TARGETS OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN AS LASUBEB INTENSIFIES PROJECT ZERO CAMPAIGN

 Yomi Durojaye

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that no child of school age in the State is denied access to free and quality basic education through the Project Zero Initiative, one of its flagship programmes designed to address and curb the growth of out-of-school children across Lagos.

The programme brought together key stakeholders including members of the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), Mothers’ Associations, Heads of Sections, and Project Zero Desk Officers, among others.

The Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Dr. Hakeem Shittu, stated this at the Y2025 Project Zero Sensitization for Stakeholders on Implementation Strategies and Procedures held at the LASUBEB Multi-Purpose Hall on Tuesday, 28th October, 2025. He explained that the purpose of the programme is to curtail the increasing number of out-of-school children in the State, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, and ensure sustained access to quality basic education for all.

Dr. Shittu added that Project Zero, launched in response to the learning disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, has successfully identified, enrolled, and reintegrated over 32,000 out-of-school children across Lagos State. He noted that the initiative also provides school uniforms, bags, sandals, and notebooks to support learning, while about 470 parents have been empowered through various vocational training programmes in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA).

He further emphasized that the Zero Tolerance to Out-of-School Children Initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and the THEMES+ Agenda of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, which prioritizes education and technology as key drivers for achieving a Greater Lagos.

The Project Zero Desk Officer, Miss Omobolanle Shobowale, presented the Project Implementation Strategies, outlining the processes of identifying, tracking, and monitoring children re-enrolled under the scheme. She urged members of the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) to collaborate effectively with Headteachers and parents to ensure the  retention and completion of these children's education in their enrolled schools. 

In her comments, the Executive Director of Hope Builders Foundation, Mrs. Folayimika Adu, commended the Lagos State Government for sustaining the initiative, describing basic education as a shared responsibility that requires continuous collaboration among all stakeholders.#AGreaterLagosRising #ubec