International Women’s Day celebrates women whose professionalism, dedication, and compassionate leadership shape the minds of future generations and strengthen the very fabric of society. It honours individuals who combine technical expertise with heartfelt service, working tirelessly behind the scenes and on the front lines to ensure that every child receives the quality education they deserve.
Jannat Arinola Bashorun-Olokodana is a dedicated and accomplished education professional with over fifteen years of comprehensive experience within the public school system of Lagos State. Her remarkable career progression spans the full spectrum of educational practice; from hands-on classroom teaching to strategic oversight, quality assurance, and welfare administration. She has devoted her professional life to fostering high standards of learning, supporting both staff and student development, and ensuring effective curriculum implementation through empathetic leadership and meticulous monitoring.
Her academic foundation is both robust and thoughtfully aligned with her life’s work. She holds a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from Lagos State University, Ojo, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Calabar, and a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Benin. This unique combination of psychological insight, pedagogical training, and geographical understanding equips her with a multidimensional perspective on how children learn and how educational systems can best serve their needs.
In a significant milestone that marks the culmination of her decades of service and expertise, she was appointed Education Secretary for the Agege Local Government Education Authority in February 2026. In this pivotal leadership role, she now oversees all basic schools within Agege Local Government, bearing responsibility for the educational welfare, academic standards, and operational effectiveness of numerous schools and the thousands of young learners they serve. This appointment places her at the forefront of basic education delivery in one of Lagos State’s most dynamic local government areas.
Prior to this historic appointment, she served as an Inspector of Education at the District Two Head Office in Lagos State, where she monitored and evaluated teaching standards and learning outcomes across public schools, provided constructive feedback and mentorship to teaching staff, ensured compliance with national and state educational policies, and prepared detailed performance reports that informed improvement strategies. In this capacity, she served as a guardian of quality, ensuring that no child passed through the system without receiving the education they deserve.
Before her role as Inspector, she served as Chief Education Officer in the Schools Support Unit of District II from 2019 to 2025, where her contributions were both extensive and transformative. She oversaw school support initiatives and operational efficiency across the district, led routine visits to eight model colleges for supervision and support, and served as District II Social Welfare Officer, addressing the welfare needs of both staff and students with compassion and effectiveness. She conducted principal monthly audits to ensure judicious use of running costs and served on the Curriculum Implementation Committee for Public Secondary Schools, helping to shape what and how children learn across the district.
Her leadership extended across numerous committees and initiatives. She served as Team Lead for Fact-Finding Missions within the district, Treasurer of the District II Retirement Committee, and as Amirah of District II, where she oversaw member welfare and activities. As the Pioneer Amirah, she established foundational welfare structures that continue to serve members today. Her committee service included membership on the Annual District Ramadan Committee from 2021 to 2025 and the Annual Merit Award Screening Committee during the same period, as well as the Annual Merit Award Committee from 2021 to 2024.
For twelve years, from 2007 to 2019, she served as a Classroom Teacher across various public schools in Lagos State, delivering engaging and comprehensive lessons, developing tailored educational resources for diverse learning needs, fostering positive and inclusive classroom environments, and maintaining consistent communication with parents and guardians. Her excellence in the classroom was formally recognised when she was named Outstanding Teacher at Offin Ile Junior High School for the 2022 to 2023 session, a testament to the enduring impact of her instructional practice.
Her professional memberships include the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria, affirming her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional practice and continuous development.
Jannat Arinola Bashorun-Olokodana’s career exemplifies the profound impact that one dedicated educator can have on an entire system and the countless lives that pass through it. From her early days in the classroom to her current role as Education Secretary shaping the future of basic education in Agege, she has remained steadfast in her commitment to quality, equity, and excellence in education.
She is a woman of purpose and profound dedication.
She leads with empathy, integrity, and unwavering commitment.
She builds bridges between policy and practice, between teachers and students.
She empowers educators through mentorship and professional development.
She inspires excellence in every classroom she touches and every life she shapes.
In celebration of her extraordinary contributions to education, her historic appointment as Education Secretary, and her lasting impact on generations of learners, we honour Jannat Arinola Bashorun-Olokodana and extend warm wishes for a distinguished International Women’s Day.
Happy International Women’s Day.
