The Lagos State Government has called on newly licensed private school owners to maintain the highest standards in curriculum delivery, discipline, and compliance with state education policies.
This charge was delivered by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, during the presentation of provisional approval certificates to 75 new school operators on Thursday at the NUT Pavilion, Alausa, Ikeja.
Alli-Balogun stressed that the approvals followed a rigorous accreditation process assessing infrastructure, curriculum quality, safety standards, and staff competence. He said the move is part of government efforts to sanitise the sector and improve learning outcomes across both public and private institutions.
“Employ only competent, TRCN-certified teachers with good conduct. Do not obstruct evaluators or conceal information from the Ministry—such actions raise red flags. Compliance is key to sustaining your approval,” the Commissioner warned.
Commending the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) for completing the registration exercise, he urged proprietors to work in synergy with state policies, prioritise child safety, and align their operations with Lagos’s vision of inclusive, globally competitive education.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, congratulated the new proprietors but cautioned against complacency. She reminded them that the provisional approval represents a seal of trust covering infrastructure, governance, and learner protection, and that OEQA would continue periodic monitoring.
Giving a breakdown, OEQA Coordinating Director, Mr. Remi Abdul, revealed that 292 schools secured provisional approval in 2024, while 70 were cleared earlier in February 2025. With the latest batch of 75, a total of 145 schools have been licensed this year alone.
He noted that the approval grants schools eligibility for WAEC and NECO, access to capacity-building programmes, and inclusion in the state’s Education Management Information System (EMIS). He also reminded proprietors of the upcoming state-wide private school enumeration, warning that approvals cannot be transferred and that boarding facilities require separate clearance.
“It is important to institutionalise safeguarding and child protection principles across your schools for teachers, students, and stakeholders,” Abdul added.
Representatives of the State Examinations Board and the Schools Approval Unit also charged the proprietors to remain compliant.
Responding on behalf of the recipients, Mr. Mustapha Adewunmi Waheed expressed gratitude to the government and pledged that the schools would deliver education that meets national and international standards.
The event’s highlight was the presentation of certificates by the Commissioner, alongside senior education officials and representatives of SUBEB and the Examinations Board.
