In a recent interview highlighting key strides in the basic education sector, kakalistiq.com reports that the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Dr. Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, shed light on several milestone initiatives undertaken under his leadership, each rooted in the board’s commitment to excellence, transparency, and staff welfare.
He disclosed that in affirmation of his leadership strides, one of the most notable recent recognitions came with him being honoured as the Most Supportive SUBEB Chairman while also being inducted as an Associate Member of the Early Childhood Association of Nigeria (ECAN). He described the development as a clear nod to his dedication to foundational education in Lagos State.
As part of LASUBEB’s proactive approach to staff wellbeing, the board recently concluded its 2025 Annual Health Check, with over 300 staff members benefiting from free medical tests including blood pressure checks, glucose screening, and a Full Blood Count (FBC) test.
The two-day health event, which took place on July 22 and 23, was themed “Healthy Blood, Healthy Life: Why Blood Count Matters” and featured a health walk to encourage physical fitness.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Shittu explained that the initiative was not just a routine check-up but a call to action for early disease detection and wellness culture among staff.
“Regular blood tests are vital for preventing illnesses like anemia and infections,” he said. “Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration is deeply committed to not just quality education, but the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of the entire education workforce.”
He recalled that the Guest speaker, Dr. John Kolawole of Afriglobal Medicare emphasized lifestyle changes that support healthy blood, including balanced diets, regular exercise, and routine check-ups.
He also noted that the Board Secretary, Mr. Akeem Lamidi also extended appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his inclusive governance model, urging staff to take full advantage of opportunities provided for their welfare.
In a bid to ensure fairness and transparency in education assessment, LASUBEB led a comprehensive monitoring exercise during the 2025 Primary Six Placement Test across 549 centres in Lagos State.
The placement test, held on July 26, witnessed participation from over 210,000 pupils transitioning from primary to junior secondary school.
Dr. Shittu, who recalled how he personally led monitoring activities across various centres, reaffirmed LASUBEB’s resolve to maintain the integrity of public examinations.
“Our presence here underscores our commitment to equal opportunity for every child,” he said. “We’re using OMR technology to ensure accuracy, fairness, and timely results.”
He also praised education stakeholders and parents for their cooperation and dedication. Despite logistical challenges, including unregistered pupils showing up at some centres, Dr. Shittu emphasized that “no child was turned away,” in line with the Board’s Leave No Child Behind policy.
Furthering its drive for data-informed planning, he disclosed that LASUBEB recently held a strategic meeting with Mr. Olusegun Sanwo-Olu, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Project Implementation Monitoring. The discussion focused on conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of public primary schools across the state.
Dr. Shittu noted that the collaboration aims to align infrastructure development and learning interventions with the real needs of schools, ensuring that future projects deliver maximum impact.
“This assessment is a crucial step in shaping a learning environment that matches the vision of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s education agenda,” he remarked.
From staff wellness to transparent assessments and future-ready infrastructure planning events held in the past few weeks, Dr. Hakeem Shittu’s leadership of LASUBEB continues to set a high standard in basic education delivery, earning recognition and results across the board.
