Mrs Bilquees Toyin Adekoya has assumed office as Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District III in Lagos State, with a pledge to strengthen school administration, promote teamwork and improve service delivery across the district.
Adekoya’s assumption of duty followed her appointment and swearing-in by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu alongside other newly appointed permanent secretaries. The handover ceremony took place at the district headquarters in Falomo, Ikoyi.
She succeeds a period of interim leadership overseen by Dr Idowu Olufunke Oyetola after the retirement of former Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusegun Olawale Osinaike, in April 2026.
Speaking at the ceremony, Oyetola welcomed education officials, professional associations and other stakeholders, expressing appreciation for their presence as the district formally received its new head.
The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District VI, Mrs Mojisola Christiana Yusuf, described Adekoya as a committed administrator whose previous contributions to District VI had been commendable. She expressed confidence in her ability to lead District III and assured her of the support of colleagues.
Osinaike also expressed confidence in his successor, urging her to maintain an open-door leadership style and encourage constructive contributions from teachers, principals and other members of staff. He emphasised the need to recognise the strengths of personnel and deploy available human resources effectively to improve institutional performance.
In her remarks, Adekoya thanked government officials, staff members, professional associations, family members and well-wishers for their support. She pledged to build on the district’s existing achievements through inclusive leadership, collaboration and a focus on results.
The new district head also highlighted the importance of balancing discipline with compassion in school management. She urged principals to exercise authority fairly while remaining mindful of their responsibility for students’ welfare, development and future.
Adekoya said effective school administration requires accountability, sound leadership and a shared commitment among education personnel. She expressed readiness to work with stakeholders across the district to advance its objectives and strengthen the delivery of quality education.
Her husband, Professor Khalid Adekoya, who also has a background in teaching, expressed confidence in her ability to carry out the responsibilities of the office. He thanked those who attended the ceremony and supported his wife’s appointment.
Other dignitaries present included the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District II, Mr Layemo Sanni; the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District V, Mr Hassan Dauda Abiodun; retired Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District VI, Dr Sherifa Yusuf; Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Hassan Akintoye; and Lagos State Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, Comrade Abayomi Olushola Maseyi.
Adekoya’s assumption of office places school leadership, staff coordination and administrative effectiveness at the centre of the district’s next phase. Her stated priorities will require sustained cooperation among education officials, school leaders and teachers to translate the commitment to improved service delivery into better outcomes for learners.
