By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Federal Government has approved the establishment of a Command Secondary School at the 174 Battalion, Ikorodu, Lagos State, 49 years after the Nigerian Army established its first set of Command schools.
The approval was facilitated by the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Babajimi Benson who doubles as Chairman House Committee on Defense.
Benson announced the development in a statement on Monday, describing it as a landmark initiative that would expand access to quality and affordable education for children of military personnel, their families and residents of adjoining communities.
The pioneer Command Secondary Schools were established on September 29, 1977, with schools in Lagos, Kaduna, Ibadan and Jos. The Command Secondary School Lagos initially operated from Bonny Camp, Victoria Island, before relocating to its permanent site in Ipaja in 1979.
The Ikorodu project had earlier been identified as one of the development initiatives proposed for the division. In May 2026, the Eminent Persons of Ikorodu Division said the establishment of a military hospital and Command Secondary School at the 174 Battalion in Odogunyan had been adopted for implementation by Benson, who chairs the House Committee on Defence.
Benson said he personally received the approval for the school, describing the development as evidence of what purposeful leadership could achieve when genuine community needs were identified and addressed.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.
The lawmaker also commended the Chief of Army Staff for approving the initiative and prioritising educational facilities and the welfare of Nigerian Army personnel and their families.
Benson further thanked Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his continued support for educational development in the state.
He said the new school would serve not only military families but also become an important educational asset to the wider Ikorodu community.
“For Ikorodu, this is a moment of excitement and gratitude. Beyond serving military families, the school will be an important educational asset to the wider community,” Benson said.
He added that residents of Ikorodu were prepared to support the successful take-off and sustainability of the institution.
The lawmaker described the project as an investment in children, human capital and the families of those serving the country, adding that education remained central to national development.
He expressed optimism that the Command Secondary School, 174 Battalion, would eventually become a centre of academic excellence, discipline, character and opportunity for generations of students.
The Directorate of Command Schools Services currently lists 55 Command schools nationwide, comprising 31 boarding schools and 24 day schools.
The approval is therefore expected to add another Command school to the Nigerian Army’s network of educational institutions and further expand educational opportunities in Ikorodu.
