Sanwo-Olu Leaves Multimillion-Naira Vocational Training School to Rot
The Lagos State Government has abandoned the construction of the multimillion-naira Ketu Vocational Training School.
The project, which was expected to be completed in 12 months, remains unfinished years after its initiation. A project banner at the school’s entrance, as seen by FIJ on Monday, indicated its initial timeline.
Although the exact contract award date remains uncertain, available state documents confirm that the project was initiated under former Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s administration. The construction was awarded to Megaron Projects Limited.
Project Background
Located behind the dilapidated Ketu Special Children’s Centre, the facility was designed to train young people and women in vocational skills, thereby boosting Lagos’ human capital development.
The Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation implemented the project, while the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure supervised it.
FIJ could not access public records detailing the total contract sum. However, a document from the Lagos State Debt Management Office shows that N92,886,092.73 was paid to the contractor on August 28, 2018 as an additional payment for the ongoing construction. This suggests that the total cost exceeded N100 million.
Further investigation reveals a N109 million allocation for “Ketu Vocational Centre Phase II” in the 2024 budget. It remains unclear if this allocation is for the same facility, as the original project remains incomplete.
Current State of the Facility
FIJ’s visit to the site revealed that the contractor abandoned work in 2021.
An elderly man at the entrance, who identified himself as a retired soldier, appeared to be residing in the security guard’s house. He denied being the official watchman but acknowledged the facility’s neglect.
Inside the premises, FIJ observed two U-shaped buildings—one storey and one bungalow—alongside an industrial generator and an electricity transformer. Some individuals were seen using the space for temporary residence.
The interiors were incomplete, with no furniture, cooling systems, or electronic equipment. Construction materials such as paint buckets, machines, and a cement mixer remained scattered.
Official Denials
When contacted, Dele Oshinowo, the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairman, insisted that the facility was functional.
However, FIJ’s findings and eyewitness accounts contradict this claim. The facility remains incomplete and unused, raising questions about the project’s mismanagement and lack of accountability.
