On 17 October 2026, alumni of [Government College Ibadan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_College,_Ibadan) gathered on the school grounds for the association’s annual reunion and general meeting. The event, presided over by Dr Bolanle Olawale Babalakin, president of the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA), saw the pledge of a N15 billion transformation fund to renovate the chemistry and physics laboratories, signalling a decisive push toward infrastructural and academic excellence.
Key details include:
- Dr Babalakin, a member of the Class of 1971, leads the GCIOBA’s fundraising drive.
- Adebowale Olujimi, CEO of [Emadeb Energy Group](https://emadebenergy.com) and a 1985 alumnus, committed multi‑million naira to the laboratory upgrades.
- Governor Seyi Makinde attended the inauguration, underscoring the partnership between the state government and the alumni body.
- The renovation targets both chemistry and physics labs, which were described as “deplorable” during the alumni’s site visit.
- The GCIOBA Educational Foundation is the vehicle channeling the pledged funds, aiming to raise billions from individual donors and corporate partners.
What is the GCIOBA Educational Foundation?
The foundation operates as the financial arm of the alumni association, aggregating contributions from former students, corporate sponsors such as Nigeria LNG and Aradel Holdings PLC, and private philanthropists. It is tasked with overseeing the disbursement of resources for capital projects, teacher training, and scholarship programmes.
How did the laboratory project originate?
After Dr Babalakin approached him, Mr Olujimi and his wife, Olugbesoye, visited the campus about a year prior to the reunion. A serendipitous encounter with the principal—who had briefly stepped out and returned—allowed the couple a swift tour of the facilities. Observing the dilapidated state of the science labs, they resolved to fund a comprehensive refurbishment and equip the rooms with modern apparatus.
What did the governor say at the inauguration?
Governor Seyi Makinde highlighted the collaborative model that empowers alumni to co‑manage the school, noting that such partnerships “enhance learning environments and prepare our youths for global competitiveness.” He officially opened the renovated labs alongside four other alumni‑driven projects.
Why is alumni involvement crucial for the school’s future?
Mr Olujimi emphasized that many former students now occupy influential positions worldwide, creating a network that can sustain the school’s development. “We have a huge set of people from this school who are in different fields all over the world. In our own little way, we are giving back,” he remarked.
The renovated laboratories are expected to restore the school’s reputation for scientific excellence, echoing alumni memories of top‑tier facilities from their own school days. Both Dr Babalakin and Mr Olujimi described the project as merely the “starting point,” pledging ongoing engagement and annual stakeholder meetings to ensure continuous improvement.
In closing, Mr Olujimi urged current students to stay hopeful, asserting, “There is no country like Nigeria. Those learning here have the future leaders among them. The future is so bright for Nigeria.” The initiative exemplifies how former pupils can translate nostalgia into tangible investment, rebuilding their alma mater for generations to come.