Burn bright, this torch of Gamaliel Onosode

A Legacy Born of Integrity, Sustained by Purpose

Twelve years ago, Gamaliel & Susan Onosode Foundation (GAMSU) was born from a simple yet revolutionary idea: education is not a privilege, but a right; not charity, but justice. As we celebrate our 12th anniversary, we reflect on a journey fueled by Gamaliel Onosode’s unyielding belief in merit, equity, and the power of enlightened leadership.

Today, Mr. Onosode would have been 92, and, in honour of him, we are proud to continue to pursue the purpose for which GAMSU was founded.

Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode

The Visionary’s Blueprint

Gamaliel Onosode was not a man of half-measures. A titan of corporate governance and a scholar at heart, he saw education as the bedrock of national transformation. This conviction became GAMSU’s mandate.

From the outset, Mr. Onosode insisted on a dual focus:

1. Excellence in Infrastructure: Building schools that inspire, not just shelter.

2. Ethics in Education: Cultivating leaders who value integrity over shortcuts.

His hands-on mentorship in GAMSU’s early days—reviewing blueprints, interrogating budgets, and quizzing staff on philosophies for teaching and learning—set a standard we strive to uphold.

Milestones: From Seedlings to Forests

In 12 years, GAMSU has grown from a bold idea into a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s education sector. Our key achievements include:

• 20,432 students impacted, ensuring talent, not poverty, defines a child’s future.

• 53+ school interventions transforming dilapidated infrastructure into Ideal Classrooms.

• 200+ teachers impacted, equipping educators with 21st-century skills and ethical leadership tools.

• 1 research centre catering to thousands of young leaders and inspiring positive systemic change in private and public institutions.

• 40 nurses and 5 nurse tutors trained to help reduce maternal mortality rate in Nigeria.

The Unfinished Work

We believe that progress is not a destination, but a direction. While we celebrate how far we’ve come, we acknowledge the road ahead.

The work we do is not ours alone. It is the work of a man who believed in Nigeria’s potential when few dared to, and of the millions still waiting for their chance to learn, lead, and thrive.

This year, 11 million children are estimated to be out-of-school in Nigeria. Close to 50% of young people who are able to teach and share knowledge are leaving the country, and the number is projected to rise within the next five years. The curriculum taught in schools is not reflective of the times we live in and lacks the right level of creativity, digital literacy, and civil responsibility that can drive positive change in our society.

To address these, GAMSU’s 2025–2030 strategy prioritises a commitment to driving the right programmes and partnerships that will combat these failings and help steer Nigeria’s education sector in the right direction.

A Call to Keep the Flame Alive

This anniversary is not just a celebration but a summons:

• To Governments: Invest in classrooms and education infrastructure, not just rhetoric.

• To Corporates: Align CSR with systemic change, not short-term optics.

• To Citizens: Hold leaders accountable, mentor a child, and donate a book.

Gamaliel Onosode’s portrait hangs in our office, his gaze steady, his posture resolute. It is a silent reminder: The work we do is not ours alone. It is the work of a man who believed in Nigeria’s potential when few dared to, and of the millions still waiting for their chance to learn, lead, and thrive.

Join us. The future may be unwritten, but the path is clear.