In the heart of Ebute-Igbooro, a 150-year-old community in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, students of St. John’s Anglican Primary School use white ceramic tiles as makeshift whiteboards to learn basic subjects like mathematics, English, and basic technology. Founded in 1955, the school—once a pride of the community—is now in ruins, with cracked classroom walls, palm-roof ceilings, and uncompleted buildings standing as reminders of long years of neglect.

The school, which serves about 242 pupils from surrounding villages, has no access to clean water, and students often rely on a shallow well. A local source pleaded for boreholes, fencing, and classroom renovation to protect the school from vandalism. Nearby, at Yewa North Local Government Primary School, pupils are forced to defecate in the bush, as the only toilets under construction are reserved for teachers. Despite these challenges, community members remain hopeful for government intervention.

Issa Olude, a state civil servant and alumnus of the school, revealed that the original buildings were constructed by colonial masters over 100 years ago. “The structures are too old; they need to be replaced,” he said. He commended efforts by Hon. Haruna Wahab Egungbohun, a state lawmaker, for contributing to some modern buildings but emphasized the urgent need for more government attention.

Residents, including Ademola Muyinat and Kabirat Bunmi, lamented the harsh conditions of the community—lack of schools, markets, hospitals, and jobs. Many women make and sell garri and fufu to Lagos traders, while men rely on farming, fishing, and motorcycle riding to survive. They appealed for modern markets, potable water, and healthcare centers to ease their suffering.

The Elebute of Ebute-Igbooro, Oba Amusa Adetunji Dosunmu (Isolo I), called on the Ogun State Government to prioritize development in his town. “We need schools, hospitals, banks, markets, and roads that will benefit our children and future generations,” he said. The monarch thanked the government for its efforts so far but stressed that Ebute-Igbooro deserves better infrastructure and opportunities to grow after existing for over a century.