Come January 2027; that is, in the next four months, the Segun Odegbami International College and Sports Academy (SOCA), founded in 2007, will clock two decades of operation; twenty years of moulding pupils, most of whom are today the pride of the school and the nation in their respective professions across the globe, solving equations and scoring goals.
The pioneer Head Boy, Mr. Abdulsalam Ogidan, passed out in the 2010/2011 academic session. He is now thriving in his US base after enjoying a scholarship facilitated by the school to an American university, where he was outstanding and a worthy ambassador of the institution. He is now a key player in the US economy. Super Eagles forward, Tolu Arokodare, currently playing on loan for Ajax in Holland, is also an alumnus and torchbearer of the school.
Strategically situated on a serene, hilly terrain overlooking its host Wasimi Orile community on Km 56, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and sitting on an expansive stretch of land, the school is a living victim of government’s blind eye to rural community development in terms of motorable roads. A visitor might miss his way or be provoked to detour on account of the poor road leading to the school.
However, what it lacks in that vital infrastructure, it makes up for in a strong and innovative curriculum which, year-in-year-out, produces graduates who effectively combine academics with sporting talent.
Founder of the school, who doubles as Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Segun Odegbami, of the then Green Eagles fame, realised early that Nigeria would gain more by giving young pupils equal opportunity to express themselves in both fields, with none submerging the other.
Given his own transition from the field to the boardroom and even the newsroom, where he writes syndicated articles in major Nigerian newspapers, Odegbami, nicknamed ‘Mathematical’ by the late sports commentator, Ernest Okonkwo, during his playing days, realised that after the ovation of sports subsides lies a new, longer life of reality.
Welcoming a visitor into the school complex is the administrative block on the left, housing the College Administrator, Mr. Denis Owumi, a former footballer like his employer, whose 18 years on the job reflect in his proficient understanding of all issues raised about SOCA.
With contagious courtesy, said to be his trademark in that office, Owumi explained details of the college’s evolution from birth 19 years ago through its age of steady transformation till date. He told our correspondent that the summer break was over; returning students were back and fresh intakes into Junior Secondary School (JSS) had been admitted for the 2026/27 session.
He explained that the pupils’ population is systematically controlled through a one-arm-per-class policy from JSS to Senior Secondary School (SSS). According to him, each class contains only 20 pupils, meaning the total population of students is not more than 120 in each academic session.
“Chairman used his vision for a model secondary school to design what we have here and it is paying off significantly in achieving desired results. We all know the evil inherent in overcrowded classrooms where teachers and students go through hard times performing their responsibilities.
“I am happy to inform you that this system is attracting more parents and guardians to bring their children and wards to the college. A teacher can conveniently manage a classroom of 20 pupils and closely monitor the performance of his or her students,” he affirmed.
Innovative programmes in the college continue with the introduction of what Owumi called E-note. The learning device, according to him, is designed to increase students’ concentration and comprehension during classes. Instead of students burning energy writing notes while lessons are in progress, they have on their tables a summary of the lesson for easy connection with their teachers.
Yet another innovation in the curriculum is the introduction of four new subjects: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Film and Cinematography, Leadership and Entrepreneurship. These subjects are said to broaden students’ options in compliance with the demands of a new age when conventional subjects are undergoing revolutionary review.
A visit to the school by renowned filmmaker, Mr. Tunde Kelani, in 2019 may have influenced the introduction of Film and Cinematography into the curriculum.
TheTabloid.net gathered that Kelani, after inspecting the facilities, could not hide his enthusiasm and willingness to contribute to the realisation of the founder’s dream of producing complete and versatile graduates.
Kelani was said to have addressed the students, shared the history of his career and motivated them with words of confidence that they too could reach the climax of their chosen callings with the right attitude, determination, focus, self-belief and creativity.
Already, Information Technology runs in the veins of the school, equipped with units of laptops well arranged in what looks like an ICT room.
Although workers were sighted clearing the football fields, basketball and tennis courts after the summer break, the new gymnasium is ready for use, and boasts state-of-the-art equipment. A qualified instructor is also said to be on his way to supervise the use of the facilities.
A few metres beside the gymnasium sits quietly the school farm, growing yam, vegetables and other crops to actualise the school’s policy of Operation Feed Yourself. But in contrast to what obtains at the legendary Mayflower School, Ikenne, founded by the late educationist and social critic, Dr. Tai Solarin, the farm at SOCA is not managed by students.
Being a boarding school, there are two separated dormitories for boys and girls. The girls’ hostel, designed for 40 students, is said to have been donated by the sports-loving Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Bashir Adeniyi. Electricity supply is not a problem, as there is reliable alternative power in case of outage.
Owumi said the management is not unmindful of the need to expose teachers to further training, hence what he called the annual capacity-building training programme by a consultant from outside Nigeria.
“We are conscious of the fact that learning and relearning is important. We are looking beyond Nigeria to achieve this, especially in new teaching methodologies to enhance our teachers’ performance in the classroom.
“We are of the philosophy that you cannot give what you don’t have. So, we owe our students the latest teaching methods to help them learn faster and better. That we are working to be the best in the next five years is not a joke. We mean every word, and we are going to reach that destination,” he said assuredly.
Before this magazine went to bed, out of the school’s 120-pupil capacity, 110 had resumed for the session, leaving a shortfall of 10 spaces. Parents and guardians should, therefore, get out of doubt and take advantage of the opportunity.
Leave a Reply