The Army Day Secondary School Effurun, in Delta State of Nigeria was founded in 1986. Initially, the name of the school was Command Day Secondary School (CDSS) Effurun until this name was changed about 2-3 years after inception.

The pioneer principal of the school, Mrs Esther Ozako, an astute administrator par excellence. 

Academic activities started immediately at inception during the 1986/1987 academic year with JSS One enrollment only. The school was started at within the Effurun Army barracks vicinity using facilities made available by the Army authorities under the then Lt Col Ishaya Anche who was then Commanding Officer of the 20 Battalion of the Nigerian Army. This facility which is still in use today by the school.

Under the leadership and direction of the pioneer principal, with the support of the Army authorities and an active Parents/Teachers Association (PTA) the quest to build a permanent site on a parcel of land donated by the Army authorities started in the later end of 1986. During those time, the pioneer students, supervised by committed teachers will get into the forest around the barracks area to move sawn logs to the permanent site for the erection of the school. The initial three classroom blocks at the permanent site which still stands till date was achieved through self-help by the school authorities, students, the PTA and Army authorities.

With time, support started coming in from corporate firms like the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the defunct Bendel State Government in the form of furniture’s and workshop equipment respectively.

By 1992, the school achieved a major milestone with the graduation of it’s very first set. As at today, the ADSS Effurun has graduated over 27 sets and has been in existence for about 33 years. Graduands of the ADSS Effurun are spread across the globe and have achieved great feats in their chosen careers in medicine, engineering, sports, entertainment, media, and politics. The journey of 33years so far for the ADSS Effurun has been that of excellence, achievement and pacesetting in all respect.