Lagos pledges sustained investment in pupils’ all-round development

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustained investment in basic education, with emphasis on pupils’ physical, social, emotional and intellectual development beyond classroom instruction, examinations and academic achievements.

The Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Hakeem Shittu spoke at the flagoff of the 2026 Basic Education School Sports Competition Finals, at the board headquarters, Maryland, Lagos, on Tuesday.

He said the government recognised that education went beyond classroom instructions and academic performance, stressing that the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children deserved equal attention.

He said the government would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to strengthen sports and other co-curricular activities in the state’s basic education system.

‎According to him, school sports provide an important platform for achieving these objectives by promoting physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, leadership, confidence, perseverance and respect for rules.

‎He added that sporting activities also offered opportunities to identify and nurture young talents, irrespective of their backgrounds, ages or circumstances.

‎”Our commitment to our schools’ sports programmes is therefore rooted in the belief that every child deserves an opportunity to discover and develop his or her potential,” he said.

‎The chairman said the forthcoming state finals would bring together schools that had distinguished themselves through the various stages of the competition involving local government areas and local education authorities across the state.

‎He said the competition would feature pupils in the under-12 category, adding that eight sporting events would be contested.

‎The events include football, athletics, chess, volleyball, table tennis and swimming, among others.

‎He explained that the competition was not merely about determining winners but also providing opportunities for young athletes to demonstrate their abilities, sportsmanship, teamwork and determination.

‎He said the initiative would reinforce healthy competition among schools while promoting unity and friendship among pupils from different parts of Lagos State.

‎The chairman expressed optimism that the platform would help discover sporting talents who could eventually represent Lagos and Nigeria in higher-level competitions.

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‎He, however, stressed the need to monitor and expose identified talents to further opportunities to enable them to develop their abilities.

‎”When you are able to give these young talents opportunities, you have to look out for them and monitor them. It is important for us to combine the talents in each achievement and expose them to opportunities,” he said.

‎The SUBEB chairman reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to continuously improve basic education and provide opportunities that promote the all-round development of pupils.

‎He said the government had continued to engage relevant stakeholders, including education secretaries, school administrators, teachers, parents and sporting organisations, to strengthen the place of sports and other co-curricular activities in the basic education system.

‎He added that the stakeholders had collectively recognised that investing in children today amounted to investing in the future of Lagos State.

‎He acknowledged the contributions of parents and other stakeholders to grooming children and exposing them to opportunities, urging them to sustain their support for the initiative.

‎He called on teachers, education stakeholders, corporate organisations and members of the public to support the competition and encourage young talents.

‎He particularly appealed to the media to partner with the board in highlighting the contributions of school sports to education and youth development.

‎Describing the 2026 Basic Education School Sports Finals as more than a sporting activity, the chairman said the competition represented an investment in the talent, character, courage and future of children.

‎He urged participating schools and pupils to demonstrate discipline, care and exemplary sportsmanship throughout the competition.

‎Speaking, the Board Secretary, Abiodun Lamidi said the state was concerned about the overall development of students beyond looking at academic performance.

‎Over 1,000 primary schools across local governments in the state are participating in the competition across stages leading up to the finals to hold soon.