The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), has presented Provisional Approval Letters to the first batch of 70 private schools for the year 2025.
The approved institutions include 41 Nursery/Primary Schools and 29 Junior/Senior Secondary Schools that successfully met the state’s stringent quality standards.
The approval ceremony, held on Wednesday at the Education Resource Centre, Ojodu, Ikeja, marked a major milestone in the government’s drive to uphold excellence in the private education sector.
In his address, Mr. Sesan Ogundeko, the Supervising Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, emphasized the critical role of private schools in the state’s education system.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to partnering with private institutions to enhance the quality of education in Lagos.
“This event underscores our dedication to educational excellence and the vital role of private schools in complementing public education. The registration and approval process is rigorous but necessary to ensure compliance with state standards,” Ogundeko stated.
He further called on school owners and stakeholders to prioritize child welfare and education, stressing that the government would continue to invest in and support private institutions to maintain high academic standards.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Remi Abdul, Coordinating Director of OEQA, highlighted that the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Schools, Mr. Jamiu Ali-Balogun, remains resolute in advancing access to qualitative education for every child in Lagos State.
He noted that out of over 100 applicants, only 70 schools met the state’s stringent requirements, which included online registration, on-site inspections, approval inspections, and comprehensive documentation review.
Abdul stressed that compliance with educational laws and child protection policies is non-negotiable, warning that any infractions would attract severe sanctions.
In his remarks, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, Director of Private Education and Special Programmes, congratulated the school owners and urged them to maintain the high standards established during the approval process.
“This approval is not just a certificate; it is a testament to your commitment to educational excellence. We expect continuous compliance and improvement,” Ogunmuyiwa stated. Similarly, Mr. Adebayo Orunsolu, Executive Director of the Lagos State Examinations Board, represented by Mr. Peter Adefioye, highlighted the importance of attestation certificates for newly approved schools.
He explained that official approval enhances a school’s credibility and boosts student enrollment.
“Schools that receive this approval gain recognition, ensuring that their students’ examination certificates, such as the Junior Secondary School Examination (JSSE), bear the name of an officially recognized institution,” Orunsolu added.
Several school proprietors expressed satisfaction with the process and commended the Lagos State Government for its commitment to quality education. Mrs. Ehi Antoinette Nwanoeze, Proprietor of Russell College, described the approval as a validation of her school’s efforts.
“It means recognition. It means we’ve done well. It means we are in line with the Lagos State requirements,” she said.
Mrs. Adeogo Omenebele-Eunice, Proprietress of Les Graines Precious Nursery and Primary School, praised the thorough and transparent approval process, calling it a “step-by-step overhaul of schools in Lagos State.”
The event reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s dedication to strengthening private education, ensuring that every approved school meets the highest standards of academic and operational excellence.
