The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, on Monday, 9 November 2026, announced a ₦50 million education support package for 500 public primary and secondary school students at a pre-birthday engagement held at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Under the initiative, each selected student drawn from the state’s six education districts is expected to receive ₦100,000 in unconditional financial assistance, as the Speaker marked his forthcoming birthday on 11 November with a gesture directed towards young people and their educational needs.

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The announcement formed the highlight of a children’s engagement programme that has become an annual feature of Obasa’s birthday celebrations, providing an opportunity to bring public school students into the Assembly complex and offer financial assistance towards their education.

The latest commitment represents a significant financial intervention, particularly at a time when rising household expenses continue to place pressure on families trying to meet the educational needs of their children.

Addressing the students, Obasa described the initiative as an investment in their future rather than simply a birthday celebration.

“Our presence here today is more than just a celebration; it is a calculated investment for the future,” the Speaker said. “I want this token to serve as a catalyst for your dreams, to help ease your educational expenses, and to motivate you toward academic excellence.”

The Speaker also used the gathering to share lessons from his personal journey, encouraging the students to develop strong reading habits, remain focused on their ambitions and resist negative influences.

Drawing from his own experience as a former public school pupil, Obasa told the children that their present circumstances should not determine the limits of their future aspirations.

“If you do not cultivate a strict reading culture today, tomorrow will be exceptionally difficult,” he said.

He further encouraged the students to consider leadership positions and other ambitious career paths, noting that consistent effort and commitment to education could open opportunities beyond what they currently imagine.

“Look at me; as a child sitting in a public school classroom years ago, I never imagined I would head the parliament of Africa’s third-largest economy. You too can become the Governor of Lagos State or the President of Nigeria if you stay focused,” he added.

Beyond the financial assistance, Obasa delivered a strong message against social vices, urging the students to avoid cultism, drug abuse and associations that could jeopardise their education and future prospects.

The programme also attracted officials of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), who commended the decision to make educational support a central feature of the Speaker’s birthday activities.

The initiative has developed into a recurring tradition. Previous editions provided ₦50,000 to participating students before the financial package was increased to ₦100,000 per beneficiary.

In November 2025, Obasa also promised ₦100,000 each to 500 students from public schools across the six education districts. The commitment was subsequently redeemed in January 2026, according to reports quoting LASUBEB board member Dr Sherifat Abiodun Adedoyin.

The latest announcement therefore continues an established approach of linking personal celebrations with educational assistance, although confirmation of the disbursement of the newly announced 2026 package remains separate from the announcement itself.

Obasa’s engagement with the students came as lawmakers at the Assembly also took turns to celebrate him ahead of his birthday, offering tributes to his legislative career and contributions to the institution.

Leading the tributes, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun acknowledged the Speaker’s role in legislative development, describing his tenure as a significant period in the Assembly’s history.

Hon. Lukmon Sa’ad Olumoh particularly recognised Obasa’s contribution to advocacy for financial autonomy for the legislature in Lagos State, describing institutional independence as an important foundation for accountability and effective legislative administration.

Similarly, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, speaking on behalf of his constituents and family, praised the Speaker’s commitment to public service and expressed confidence in his continued leadership of the Assembly.

Hon. Ajani Owolabi also congratulated Obasa on behalf of the Lagos Central Senatorial District, acknowledging his contributions to legislative development and governance in the state.

Other lawmakers used the occasion to recognise his efforts towards strengthening legislative institutions, improving representation and promoting the delivery of democratic dividends to communities across Lagos.

Obasa has been a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2003, representing Agege Constituency I.

He first became Speaker in June 2015 and has remained a prominent figure in the state’s legislative leadership, although his tenure experienced a major political interruption in January 2025 before his return to the speakership in March of that year.

His long association with the Assembly has made legislative institutional development, political leadership and constituency engagement recurring themes in discussions about his public career.

For the 500 students expected to benefit from the latest announcement, however, the immediate significance lies in the practical assistance the financial support could provide towards their education.

By allocating ₦50 million to the initiative, Obasa has placed educational assistance at the centre of his birthday programme, reinforcing a tradition that combines personal milestones with youth engagement and public-school support.

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The longer-term impact will ultimately depend on the timely distribution of the promised funds and how effectively the beneficiaries can use the assistance to address their educational needs.