Despite renewed efforts to improve access to education in Makoko, Lagos, the community continues to grapple with environmental and systemic challenges that prevent many children from attending school. Recent floods have disrupted daily life in the waterfront settlement, forcing children out of classrooms and raising fears of waterborne diseases.
The flooding has compounded long-standing issues in Makoko a densely populated, informal settlement known for its stilt houses and inadequate public infrastructure. Parents and educators report that recurrent flooding not only damages school facilities but also discourages attendance and puts children’s health at risk.
In a significant intervention, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education, inaugurated a new Learning Centre in the heart of Makoko on July 7. The facility is intended to offer formal learning opportunities to children previously excluded from the education system.
“This Learning Centre is more than just a facility, it is a symbol of our collective resolve to ensure every Nigerian child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed,” Dr. Idris said during the commissioning, where he also taught a class to mark the occasion. “Makoko is just the beginning. We are determined to extend this initiative to every corner of the country.”
The new centre aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to eliminate the crisis of out-of-school children across Nigeria. According to Dr. Idris, plans are already underway to establish nine additional centres nationwide, each modeled after the Makoko initiative to scale impact and reach vulnerable populations.
Local traditional leaders, including the Baales of Makoko, welcomed the development with enthusiasm, describing it as a long-awaited step toward uplifting the educational status of their community.
However, while the establishment of the centre has brought renewed hope, persistent flooding and poor infrastructure continue to pose significant barriers. Residents have called for broader interventions to address environmental challenges, particularly around drainage and sanitation, which are essential to sustaining educational gains.
As Makoko’s children return to classrooms made possible by the new Learning Centre, education advocates stress that long-term solutions must also address the root causes of exclusion—especially those tied to poverty, environmental neglect, and lack of investment in basic services.
