The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has commissioned a N50m vocational training centre rebuilt by the 1972–1976 set of Ibadan Boys’ High School alumni to equip students with practical and employable skills.

The monarch was represented at the commissioning ceremony on Friday by the Are Ago Olubadan, Chief Olufemi Ogunwale. The project was undertaken by the alumni to mark 50 years since their graduation from the school and as part of their efforts to give back to their alma mater.

The centre will provide training in mobile phone maintenance and repairs, fashion design and garment making, as well as solar installation and maintenance. The initiative is expected to expose students to practical skills that could support self-employment and future career opportunities.

Chairman of the anniversary committee, Kunle Olujobi, said the alumni initially considered constructing a corps members’ lodge or purchasing a school bus before deciding to make the vocational training centre their legacy project.

Olujobi said the project was completed despite financial constraints, noting that the building had been in a dilapidated condition before it was rebuilt. He called on the Oyo State Board for Technical and Vocational Education to provide modern equipment and qualified instructors to support the centre’s operations.

The chairman of the 1972–1976 set, Adesanmi Popoola, said the group had resolved to undertake a significant project as part of its golden jubilee celebrations.

He noted that the alumni had previously supported the school through interventions, including the renovation of junior school classroom blocks and contributions to an interlocking tile project during the institution’s 80th anniversary.

Chairman of the Oyo State Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Adekola Ayoade, commended the alumni for investing in skills development and supporting education through private contributions.

Ayoade said vocational education could help address the difficulties many young people face in securing employment by equipping them with practical abilities relevant to the workplace and self-employment. He also urged parents to encourage their children to acquire technical skills alongside conventional academic education.

He assured the school that the board would deploy instructors to support training at the newly commissioned centre.

Established in 1938, Ibadan Boys’ High School has benefited from interventions by its old students’ groups, including projects aimed at improving infrastructure and expanding opportunities for students.