Chief Samuel Olatunji Adebakin Foundation has pledged ₦20m to promote entrepreneurial education in Lagos school.  The donation was made at the 2025 Founders’ Day Anniversary of St. Joseph’s Secondary School Agege, Lagos, where stakeholders called for an education system that aligns with global economic realities. 

Adebakin’s Foundation was represented by Mr. Oluwajimi Adebakin, a 1980 alumnus and Chairman of the occasion. The event, organised by the school’s Global Alumni Association, brought together former students, teachers, and dignitaries to reflect on the school’s legacy and explore ways to enhance learning for current students. 
 
In his keynote address, Adebakin stressed the importance of equipping students with practical skills rather than just theoretical knowledge. He said that the world is evolving, and Nigeria needs graduates who can create jobs, not just seek employment.

Adebakin, who described himself as ‘the luckiest man on earth’ shared his inspiring journey from being a struggling student to a successful entrepreneur. 
 
“This donation, made in honour of my late father, Chief Samuel Olatunji Adebakin, will support our school in fulfilling the vision of its founders, who originally named it St. Joseph’s Commercial School to foster innovation and self-reliance,” he added. 
 
President of the Alumni Association, Mrs. Toyin Ukana-Bisiriyu, appreciated the donation, as it would significantly upgrade the school’s vocational and business studies curriculum. She said: “This generous contribution will provide empowerment for our students, who have entrepreneurial skills.”
 
The event also featured an anniversary lecture, titled: “The importance of loyal connections and networking in prosperous human endeavours,” delivered by Prof. Pius Adejoh of the University of Lagos’ Sociology Department.
 
The lecture highlighted the role of strategic relationships in personal and professional success.   According to Adejoh, “No one truly prospers alone. Behind every success story is a network. What we call social capital. Your network is your net worth.”  
 
Founded on February 12, 1962 by the Ukana family, the school was named St. Joseph’s Commercial Secondary School with focus on producing administrative personnel that can be employed by companies. 
 
A takeover of some private schools by the Federal Military Government in 1977 led to the school being renamed as St. Joseph’s Secondary School, with respected educationist, Mrs. Millicent Jibowu as its first Principal.
 
In the early 2000s, when mission schools were returned by the Lagos state government to their original owners, the school was handed back to the Ukana family but retained its name and vision of producing enterprising graduates.  
 
Awards were presented to outstanding alumni of the school, including a former Lagos Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, a 1978 alumnus.