Secondary school principals in Oyo and Ogun states have commenced training in digital literacy, cybersecurity, and other leadership areas at the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute, founded by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The training is part of the Advanced Certificate in School Leadership and Management programme.
In a statement released after the orientation programme on Sunday, the facilitator of the training and Chairman of the OOLI Special Management Advisory Group, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, said the programme commenced with the first cohort of principals and vice-principals from Ogun and Oyo states.
The founder of OOLI and Chairman of its Governing Board, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, while addressing participants at the orientation, emphasised the critical role principals play in shaping the character, morals, and skills of young people.
He noted, “Children spend more time in your care than with their parents. Hence, principals and teachers are a powerful force in shaping lives in desired directions. You are saddled with extraordinary responsibility, and you should discharge this creditably and satisfactorily. This training programme by OOLI has been specially packaged to assist you in achieving this goal.”
In his welcome address, the Director of OOLI, General (retd) Martin Luther Agwai, said, “The training programme is fully aligned with OOLI’s core objective: to equip leaders at every level with the insight, values, and skills required to drive change in complex environments. Through this programme, you are embarking on a journey that is as personal as it is national in its scope.
“As we respond to the ever-evolving landscape of education, we recognise that the role of school principals is not just about managing classrooms but about steering educational ecosystems. Today’s principals are strategic leaders who must contend with a range of complex demands—from governance and school safety to fostering innovation and creating inclusive learning environments.”
Okebukola explained that the training topics were selected based on a national survey of the training needs of school principals.
OOLI deploys the global best practice of first identifying the training needs of potential trainees before developing the training curriculum. This is followed by the development of training materials and then the implementation of the programme. That way, OOLI addresses real needs rather than speculated ones,” he said.
According to him, the eight-week programme will cover a wide range of subjects, including: Attributes of Successful School Principals, History, Current Developments, and Future of Secondary Education in Nigeria, Managing School Safety and Security, Strategic Planning and Vision Setting, Financial Management and Budgeting, Record-Keeping and Data Management, Effective Teaching and Learning Practices, Student Behaviour and Discipline, Partnerships with Parents and the Community, Fundraising and Resource Mobilisation, Collaboration with Government and NGOs, Digital Literacy and Educational Technology, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Supporting Students with Special Needs, Aligning School Goals with National Standards, Adapting International Practices to Local Contexts.
He noted that the training would be case-study driven, hybrid in delivery, and highly practical.
“Holders of the prestigious ACSLM of OOLI will be equipped to lead model schools in Nigeria and Africa,” Okebukola said.
He also commended the Governors of Ogun and Oyo states for sponsoring their principals and vice-principals to participate in the nine-week vacation training.
“The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, granted me a personal audience when OOLI sought participation from the state. He underlined his belief in the transformative power of education and immediately directed the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, to forward nominees to OOLI. Governor Makinde even promised to serve as a resource person during future leadership training for head boys and head girls, being a former head boy himself at Bishop Philips Academy in Ibadan,” he said.
He added, “The enthusiasm shown by the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was equally remarkable. The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, a globally renowned mathematician and former Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, cancelled several engagements to meet with the OOLI team.”
The training is being organised by the OOLI Special Management Advisory Group, which includes Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede (former VC, OAU), Prof. Nasir Maiturare (former VC, ABU), Prof. Uchenna Nzewi (UNN), Prof. Joy Eyisi (former DVC, NOUN), Prof. Anthony Kola-Olusanya (Deputy Director, UNESCO-IACIU), Prof. Ngozi Arisa (Bells University), and Dr. Adekunle Oladejo (UNESCO expert).
PUNCH Online reports that on June 3, former President of Ghana, John Mahama, inaugurated the OOLI Governing Board. At the event, Mahama described OOLI as “poised to be a model for leadership capacity building in Africa.”
Members of the Board include former African presidents, statesmen, scholars, diplomats, and global development experts.
