The Ikeja Local Government, under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (Akod), has rolled out an educational support initiative that provides 200 free GCE forms to residents, alongside free intensive tutorials to help candidates prepare for their examinations.

The scheme, tagged AKOD Educational Initiatives (AKOD–EI), is aimed at easing the financial burden on families and improving students’ academic performance. According to the chairman in an interview with Societal Concerns Media, the local government believes that at least one of the beneficiaries will emerge as an overall best student in the coming examination.

One of the beneficiaries, Barakat, a student of Opebi Senior Grammar School, expressed gratitude to the chairman. She explained that her mother had initially told her there was no money for the registration, but a friend informed her about the initiative and guided her through the process. She encouraged other students to take studying as a priority, describing the opportunity as a privilege.

The Head of Education and Library Services, Mr. Ogundele Olufemi Babatunde, told Societal Concerns Media that the initiative aligns with the T.H.E.M.E.+ Agenda of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. He described Ikeja Local Government as “the number one corporate local government” and noted that the project is being treated as a form of corporate social responsibility (CSR), particularly for parents who cannot afford the cost of GCE forms.

Babatunde praised the chairman for fulfilling his promises and urged students to “go back to the drawing board, read, research, and pass” in order to make the local government proud. He also stressed that the initiative required significant financial commitment from the council, underscoring the value placed on education.

Additional 10 shortlisted personally funded by the Executive Chairman.

The initiative was fully attended by students and parents, who see it as a timely intervention in supporting education at the grassroots.