In a strategic effort to boost academic readiness among secondary school students, the Federation of Odeomu Students’ Union (FOSU) has concluded an extensive sensitisation and familiarisation tour of private secondary schools across Odeomu community, unveiling a free coaching programme for candidates preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The outreach, which covered all privately owned secondary institutions within the town, was designed to formally introduce structured tutorial sessions aimed at strengthening examination performance and expanding access to quality preparatory support.
Rather than relying solely on public announcements, FOSU representatives visited schools directly, engaging administrators, teachers, and students in interactive sessions held in classrooms and assembly halls. The approach underscored the union’s hands-on commitment to ensuring that no eligible student remains unaware of the academic opportunities being provided.
During the engagements, union officials detailed the framework of the free UTME coaching for senior secondary students, alongside complimentary BECE tutorials tailored for junior secondary candidates. Facilitators outlined key components of the programme, including subject-focused revision drills, Computer-Based Test (CBT) practice modules, and guidance on academic and career pathways.
Emphasising discipline and strategy, the union encouraged candidates to adopt structured reading habits, effective time management, and early preparation as essential ingredients for examination success. According to the organisers, the initiative aligns with FOSU’s guiding philosophy, “Education for Liberation,” which positions learning as a catalyst for personal advancement and community transformation.
In an interview with The Nigeria Education News, the FOSU President described the sensitisation tour as a proactive response to gaps in access to structured revision platforms and CBT exposure within the community.
“We observed that many capable students lack adequate preparation tools, particularly digital testing practice, which places them at a disadvantage,” he said. “This programme is our contribution toward bridging that gap and ensuring that financial constraints do not limit academic ambition.”
He further disclosed that volunteer tutors—comprising undergraduates and graduates from Odeomu—have been mobilised to deliver instruction aligned with official syllabi and contemporary testing standards.
School administrators welcomed the initiative, describing it as a complementary support system to classroom teaching. A principal of one participating private secondary school noted that the visit was both timely and impactful, adding that students were especially encouraged by the structured and cost-free nature of the coaching sessions.
Teachers also highlighted the importance of CBT simulations, observing that consistent exposure to digital examination formats helps reduce anxiety and improves speed and accuracy during national assessments.
Students expressed renewed confidence following the sessions. A Senior Secondary School Three student preparing for UTME remarked that access to CBT practice would enhance competitiveness, while a Junior Secondary School Three pupil preparing for BECE said the tutorial guidance on objective question techniques had improved readiness.
As the sensitisation tour concluded, FOSU extended appreciation to school proprietors, staff, and students for their cooperation. The union reaffirmed its resolve to sustain collaborative efforts that promote academic excellence and widen access to preparatory resources within the community.
Education stakeholders note that by embedding empowerment within grassroots engagement, the initiative reflects a broader youth development vision in Odeomu—one anchored on preparedness, opportunity, and collective responsibility for academic success.
