Lafarge partners Ogun to address exam failures

Lafarge Africa Plc has unveiled a Mathematics Masterclass for Senior Secondary School students in both public and private schools across Ewekoro and Sagamu Local Government Areas, where the company’s manufacturing plants are located.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the cement company explained that the initiative, which was part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, aimed to address the high failure rates in Mathematics and science subjects among students in its host communities.

At events held separately in Sagamu and Ewekoro,  CEO of Lafarge Africa PLC, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, emphasised the importance of Mathematics as a key subject that bridges science and humanities.

He stated, “Mathematics is a fundamental subject that unites science and humanities, and this is a major reason Lafarge is investing in it. We want to help students improve in this subject and better equip them for the future.”
Represented by Oluyemi Bakare, Communication and Public Affairs Manager, Alade-Akinyemi, stressed that the Mathematics Masterclass would be an ongoing programme designed to improve academic performance in Lafarge’s host communities across the country.

“This initiative marks the beginning of an impactful journey that will shape the future of many young minds in Sagamu, Ewekoro, and beyond,” he said. “Lafarge is committed to not only infrastructure development but also the educational growth of the communities in which we operate.kinyemi added, “Our goal is to create lasting value and make a significant impact in the lives of students in our host communities.

We believe that every child deserves access to quality education and the resources needed to succeed. This programme will empower students, help them prepare for the WAEC exams, and inspire a lifelong love of learning.”
The Mathematics Masterclass is part of Lafarge’s broader commitment to educational development in Nigeria. The company plans to expand the programme, starting this year with Sagamu and Ewekoro, before reaching additional communities in Ashaka (Gombe) and Mfamosing (Calabar) next year.

In partnership with the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Lafarge has also supported the publication of a book, compiled by experienced tutor Engr. Obinaike, which features WAEC past questions from 1998 to 2024. The book, which includes both questions and answers, will be distributed to students in Sagamu and Ewekoro. A total of 2,000 copies have been produced for this purpose.

 Alade-Akinyemi said, “We expect to see improvements in students’ performance, especially in Mathematics, particularly in the WAEC exams. “Our needs assessment showed that Mathematics was a key area of concern, and that’s why we’re starting here.”

Founder and CEO of Focus Teens Foundation, the consultant for Lafarge’s Mathematics Masterclass project, Olaonipekun Kazeem, added that the goal was to ensure SSS 3 students excel in Mathematics and other core science subjects ahead of the WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations.

Zonal Education Officer for Sagamu, Dora Efunshile, commended Lafarge for its support of educational development, expressing hope for more partnerships in the future.

 “We encourage more of such initiatives to support the advancement of education in our region,” she said.