The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has launched an Alternative High School for Girls in Agboju, Lagos State, in a major intervention aimed at helping female school dropouts return to education.
Speaking at the commissioning of the facility, UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr Aisha Garba, said circumstances such as poverty, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, displacement and family responsibilities should not permanently prevent girls from completing their education.
Garba described the initiative as more than the rehabilitation of a school, saying it represents an opportunity to restore hope and provide vulnerable girls and young women with a second chance to build their futures.
“A girl whose circumstances prevented her from completing her education should be given another opportunity,” she said.
Education Meets Skills Development
The Alternative High School will combine academic learning with vocational education and practical skills training, with the goal of helping beneficiaries gain the knowledge and competencies required to become economically independent.
The renovated facility includes upgraded classrooms, ICT facilities, laboratory equipment, vocational training tools, furniture, water and sanitation facilities, among other improvements.
UBEC also plans to provide the school with a bus and digital smart boards before the end of 2026.
More Schools Planned
Garba urged the Lagos State Government to sustain the facility and ensure that girls who need a second chance can continue to access the programme.
She disclosed that another Alternative High School for Girls in Ikorodu is nearing completion, signalling plans to expand second-chance education opportunities across the state.
According to the UBEC chief, the real success of the intervention will not be measured by the appearance of the renovated buildings, but by the achievements of the girls who benefit from them.
She also appealed to residents of Agboju to protect the facility and support the girls as they rebuild their educational and professional futures.
The initiative reinforces a crucial message: dropping out of school should not mean dropping out of opportunity. With the right support, girls can return to learning, acquire practical skills and rebuild pathways towards independent and productive lives.
