The push for inclusive education in Lagos State has received a significant boost as the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) announced a total investment of over ₦234 million in public schools across the state.
Speaking at the 2026 schools intervention presentation, the First Lady, Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the intervention reflects a sustained effort to improve learning conditions, particularly for children with special needs.
She disclosed that the initiative has reached 48 schools between 2022 and 2026, cutting across three phases. According to her, the first phase supported 12 schools with ₦49.8 million, followed by another 12 schools with ₦60 million in the second phase. The current phase has expanded to 24 schools with projects valued at over ₦124 million.
The latest round of intervention focused specifically on inclusive schools, with beneficiaries drawn from all six education districts in the state, including both primary and secondary institutions.
Projects delivered under the programme include renovation of classrooms, provision of water facilities, fencing, hostel upgrades, science equipment, ICT centres, and learning materials tailored for students with visual, hearing, and other special needs.
Sanwo-Olu said the intervention is designed to complement government efforts by addressing specific gaps in schools, especially in areas that directly affect access and quality of learning for vulnerable children.
She also stressed the importance of maintaining the facilities, noting that sustainability will determine the long-term impact of the investments on students.
Earlier, the coordinator of the COWLSO Schools Committee, Anike Adekanye, described the programme as a targeted response to real challenges observed in schools across the state. She explained that the third phase was deliberately focused on inclusive education after identifying the need for stronger support systems for students with special needs.
Adekanye added that the projects were carefully monitored to ensure proper use of funds and effective delivery, noting that the intervention goes beyond infrastructure to improving the overall learning environment.
The initiative is part of broader efforts by stakeholders in Lagos to strengthen education delivery and ensure that students, regardless of their physical or learning conditions, have access to quality schooling
