Despite the recent renovation of two classrooms celebrated by the Ilorin West Local Government, students and staff at Ogidi West LGEA School continue to face a severe lack of basic facilities, including functional toilets, running water, and adequate security.
On September 6, 2025, the Executive Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government, Hon. Shehu Abdulrahman Babatunde Ladan, visited the school and made a series of commitments to the community. He promised a comprehensive renovation that included refurbishing the toilets, providing two security guards, fencing the school perimeter, and connecting the school to a community borehole for water.
Weeks later, on September 30, the chairman announced the completion of the project via his official Facebook page, showcasing two renovated classrooms. However, a follow-up visit to the school reveals that these classrooms are the only changes made, leaving the most critical promises unfulfilled.
Mallam Abdulkareem Abdulazeez, the principal of the newly established Ogidi West Junior Secondary School, expressed mixed feelings. “We thank the chairman for the two classrooms, but this is not enough to raise the standard of the school,” he said, pleading for further intervention to create an environment conducive to learning.
The junior secondary school, approved in February 2025, is particularly affected. With a growing student body of over 60 students in JSS 1 and JSS 2, the lack of infrastructure is acute. “Part of the problem not allowing us to have large numbers of students is the classroom and staff room shortage,” the principal added.
The school’s teaching staff currently operate without a designated staff room, offices, or basic furniture like tables, using one of the classrooms for all administrative work. The situation is so dire that teachers have no access to proper restroom facilities.
“Male teachers have to go to the bush,” one teacher explained. “The female teachers cannot do such, and this is causing significant difficulty for them.”
Students face similar challenges. Pupils reported having to use the surrounding bush to relieve themselves due to the absence of a toilet. The junior school also lacks a bell or wall clocks, forcing them to rely on the schedule of the adjacent primary school.
A local community representative confirmed they were aware of the unfulfilled promises and stated they would “continue to remind the chairman” to ensure the students receive a better standard of education.
As of this report, nearly a month after the chairman’s initial pledge, Ogidi West LGEA School remains without a fence, security personnel, a water supply, or functional toilets, raising questions about the scope and completion of the celebrated renovation project.
