Lafarge Africa Plc has launched a Mathematics Masterclass aimed at senior secondary school students in both public and private schools across the Ewekoro and Sagamu Local Government Areas, home to the company’s manufacturing plants.
This initiative, which forms part of Lafarge’s ongoing corporate social responsibility efforts, seeks to tackle the growing challenge of poor performance in Mathematics and science subjects in local schools.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Lafarge explained that the programme is specifically designed to address the high failure rates observed among students in its host communities, particularly in key subjects that form the foundation of academic success.
The initiative reflects the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in the areas where it operates.
During separate events held in Sagamu and Ewekoro, Lafarge’s CEO, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, underscored the importance of Mathematics as a cornerstone subject that bridges both science and the humanities.
Alade-Akinyemi remarked, “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, Lafarge’s Communication and Public Affairs Manager, Alade-Akinyemi emphasized that the Mathematics Masterclass would be an ongoing programme, designed to bring lasting academic improvement to students across the company’s host communities in Nigeria.
“This initiative marks the beginning of an impactful journey that will shape the future of many young minds in Sagamu, Ewekoro, and beyond,” he added. “Lafarge is committed to not only infrastructure development but also the educational growth of the communities in which we operate. Our goal is to create lasting value and make a significant impact in the lives of students in our host communities.”
Alade-Akinyemi further stressed, “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 just one component of Lafarge’s broader commitment to enhancing educational development across Nigeria.
The company plans to extend the programme starting this year in Sagamu and Ewekoro, before expanding to Ashaka (Gombe) and Mfamosing (Calabar) in the following year.
In partnership with the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Lafarge has also contributed to the publication of a comprehensive book, compiled by seasoned tutor Engr. Obinaike, containing WAEC past questions from 1998 to 2024.
This valuable resource, which includes both questions and answers, will be distributed to students in Sagamu and Ewekoro, with 2,000 copies already printed.
Alade-Akinyemi expressed optimism about the programme’s potential impact, particularly in improving student performance in Mathematics during the WAEC exams.
He 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, who is consulting on the Mathematics Masterclass project, Olaonipekun Kazeem, shared that the primary objective is to help SSS 3 students excel in Mathematics and other critical science subjects in preparation for their WAEC, NECO, and JAMB exams.
“The goal is to ensure that these students are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in these major exams,” Kazeem said.
The Zonal Education Officer for Sagamu, Dora Efunshile, expressed her appreciation for Lafarge’s investment in educational development.
She commended the company for taking an active role in enhancing the quality of education in the region.
“We encourage more of such initiatives to support the advancement of education in our region,” Efunshile remarked.
With this initiative, Lafarge is taking an active role in shaping the educational future of students in its host communities, ensuring they are better prepared for the challenges of the future and are empowered to succeed academically.
