MTN Nigeria staff, under the company’s Y’ello Care initiative, have successfully renovated a school block at Iwerekun Community Senior High School in Lakowe, Lagos, significantly improving the learning environment for both students and teachers. The initiative, which forms part of MTN’s annual corporate social responsibility campaign, focuses on enhancing education, digital inclusion, and economic development in local communities.
Prior to the renovation, students at Iwerekun Community Senior High School faced numerous challenges, including deteriorating classroom conditions that hindered effective learning. In response, MTN staff took matters into their own hands, transforming the learning space to create a more conducive environment for academic growth.
The commissioning ceremony, which marked the completion of the project, was attended by several key stakeholders, including Honourable Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, Commissioner of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. In his address, Alli-Balogun acknowledged the significance of MTN’s contribution, stating, “The education sector worldwide thrives on collaboration and commitment between public and private partners. MTN’s generous contribution is truly recognised, and I express my deepest gratitude for its unwavering commitment to supporting education in Lagos State.”
Representing the Ojomu of Lakowe, Prince Mukaila Adeola expressed the community’s appreciation, highlighting the rarity of such support for the community and anticipating continued collaboration with MTN in the future.
The renovation not only included structural improvements such as fresh paint and new furniture but also provided essential facilities like a reliable water supply and an inverter to ensure uninterrupted power. These upgrades will help ensure a more comfortable and sustainable learning environment for both students and staff.
Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria, emphasized the personal involvement of MTN staff in the project. “While MTN has a foundation funded by 1% of the company’s annual profits, the credit for this commissioning goes to the MTN Nigeria staff members who, through their personal contributions, made this happen,” Okigbo stated.
This project, which forms part of the broader Y’ello Care initiative, demonstrates MTN Nigeria’s commitment to improving education across the country. The company has long been a supporter of educational development, with previous initiatives focused on improving access to technology, skills training, and infrastructure.
With the successful completion of the Lakowe school renovation, MTN Nigeria has once again proven that community-driven projects can have a lasting, positive impact. The company continues to encourage other organizations to embrace volunteerism and community service, with the belief that collective action is a powerful force for societal progress.
