The Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun, Professor Samuel Oladipo, has charged staff of the university’s International School to prioritise continuous self-development and professional growth as the institution seeks to sustain its culture of academic excellence.
Oladipo gave the charge during the 30th anniversary celebration of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education International School (TASFUEDIS), Igbeba, where he stressed that staff capacity development must remain aligned with the university’s STARWIN Agenda.
The Vice-Chancellor described the 30-year milestone as evidence of the school’s sustained commitment to education, character formation, discipline and the development of young people capable of making meaningful contributions to society.
He said the continued relevance of TASFUEDIS would depend not only on the achievements recorded over the past three decades but also on the ability of its teachers and other staff to continually update their knowledge and skills in response to changing demands in education.
According to him, an evolving education system requires teachers who are willing to learn, adapt and embrace new approaches to teaching and learning.
Oladipo noted that TASFUEDIS had remained an integral part of the university’s educational vision since its establishment by providing young learners with opportunities to acquire knowledge, develop talents, build confidence and cultivate the character required to navigate an increasingly complex world.
He, however, pointed to the school’s recent academic performance as evidence of the quality of work being undertaken by its teachers and students.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the school recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in 27 subjects in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, while 90 per cent of its candidates passed English Language.
He also disclosed that four students of the school scored above 300 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, describing the performance as an indication of the academic foundation being provided by the institution.
Oladipo attributed the achievements to the dedication of the teachers, commitment of the students and support provided by parents and guardians.
He urged the entire school community to sustain the momentum and continue working towards higher standards.
Tracing the history of the institution, the Principal of TASFUEDIS, Mrs Adebola Omoyele, said the school had grown from a modest beginning with only eight students in 1996 into an institution that had produced more than 2,000 graduates who are now contributing to society across different professions.
Omoyele recalled that the establishment of the school followed the approval of the Governing Council of the then Ogun State College of Education after a proposal for a secondary school was first considered by the council in 1994.
She said the school received provisional approval from the Ogun State Ministry of Education and Youth Development on June 26, 1996, before officially commencing operations on October 7 of the same year.
According to her, the pioneering teachers played a critical role in establishing the foundation of the institution, with some of them volunteering their services without stipends during the early years.
She acknowledged the contributions of successive Vice-Chancellors and Provosts, principals, teachers, governing boards, parents, alumni and other members of the school community whose interventions had contributed to its growth and development.
Beyond conventional academic performance, Omoyele highlighted the school’s achievements in science and technology, recalling its emergence as the national winner of the Schlumberger Excellence in Education Development, SEED, Nigerian Academy of Science Contest in 2014.
The school won the competition with its “Water Powered Automobile” project, an achievement which, according to the Principal, earned the institution international recognition and a trip to France.
She said the achievement demonstrated the capacity of students to translate classroom learning into practical innovation when provided with the appropriate environment, mentorship and opportunities.
The Principal further disclosed that students had developed a green-energy production room to supplement electricity supplied by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC.
She added that the school had installed solar panels and facilitated the production of drones for aerial surveillance, further demonstrating its increasing engagement with science, technology and innovation.
The school is also seeking to deepen students’ exposure to digital technology through a partnership with Tech Talent Academy, TTA, which provides additional training and skills-development opportunities.
Omoyele said the emphasis on technology was part of the institution’s broader effort to prepare students for an education and employment environment increasingly shaped by digital transformation.
The Principal also highlighted infrastructural development recorded by the school over the years.
Among the facilities are a multipurpose Home Economics laboratory, an ultra-modern Administrative and Science Laboratory Complex, a multipurpose school hall, refurbished boys’ and girls’ hostels and a multipurpose sports field.
She commended the Parents-Teachers Association for its contributions to the development of the school, particularly the construction of the buttery complex and a befitting dining hall for boarders.
The PTA, she added, had also sustained its annual welfare support for members of staff.
Looking ahead, Omoyele said the school would focus on consolidating its academic performance, expanding digital technology education and equipping students with skills that would make them self-reliant, patriotic and capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
She expressed the hope that the next phase of the school’s development would produce future presidents, governors, inventors and reformers capable of transforming Nigeria and the wider world.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Governing Board of TASFUEDIS, Professor Adekunle Bamiro, urged the school community to approach its next phase with renewed determination as the educational landscape continues to change rapidly.
Bamiro called for greater attention to innovation, digital transformation, character formation, scientific and technological advancement and global competitiveness.
He, however, stressed that the pursuit of modern educational skills must not come at the expense of traditional values such as discipline, integrity, hard work and service.
The Governing Board chairman challenged the management, staff, parents and students to regard the anniversary not simply as an occasion to celebrate past accomplishments but as a call to achieve more in the years ahead.
He said the next phase of the school’s development should be defined by a stronger commitment to innovation and the preparation of students for an increasingly competitive global environment.
The anniversary also provided an opportunity to recognise individuals and groups whose contributions have helped shape the history and development of TASFUEDIS.
Among those honoured at the award presentation were the University Management Team, Professor Adekunle Bamiro, Mrs Adebola Omoyele, Professor Jimi Ogunnaike, Professor Bandele Sogbesan, Professor Wale Ositoye and Professor Olufunke Ekine.
Others recognised included Sir Taiye Solarin Sogbesan, Mr Onawoga, NASU Chairman Comrade Adewale Shipe, Mrs Olusola Kehinde, Mr Ajilogba S.I., Dr W.I. Apari, Mr Adebayo Rufai, Mr Oyelaja Francis, Mr Adenola Adesanya, Giwa Mufurau Owolabi Oseni, Mr Olagunju Babalola, Alhaji S.K.A. Erinle and Mrs B.I. Olaniyan.
The event brought together members of the university community, alumni, parents, staff, students and other stakeholders who reflected on the school’s three-decade journey and celebrated individuals who had contributed to its development.
The anniversary festivities culminated in a funfair and other social activities, allowing members of the TASFUEDIS community to mark the milestone in a relaxed atmosphere.
However, beyond the celebrations, the 30th anniversary provided an opportunity for the institution to examine the relationship between its historical achievements and the demands of contemporary education.
From eight students at inception to more than 2,000 graduates, and from traditional classroom instruction to engagements with renewable energy, drones, digital technology and practical innovation, the school’s journey reflects the changing expectations placed on secondary education.
Its recent WASSCE and UTME performances have also provided evidence of continued academic progress, while its technology initiatives point to an increasing effort to combine academic learning with practical and future-oriented skills.
For the Vice-Chancellor and the school leadership, the central challenge as TASFUEDIS enters its fourth decade is therefore to sustain the standards established over the past 30 years while preparing teachers and students for a rapidly changing educational environment.
The anniversary ultimately served not only as a celebration of longevity but also as a reaffirmation of the school’s founding vision and a renewed commitment to producing young Nigerians equipped with knowledge, skills, discipline, character and the capacity to make lasting contributions to society.
