BREAKING: Lagos Launches Bold Move to Control Private and Mission Schools – New Policy to Shake Up Education Sector

The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a 17-member committee tasked with developing and implementing a comprehensive policy framework for private and mission-owned schools, signaling a renewed commitment to standardizing education across non-state institutions.

The committee, unveiled on Thursday at the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, is expected to deliver the policy document within two months. The initiative is being spearheaded by OEQA to align with national education standards while addressing the unique context of Lagos State.

Speaking at the event, Abisola Dokumu-Adegbite, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, emphasized that the effort reflects Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to inclusive and high-quality education.

“The committee is expected to produce a policy of world-class standard. I hope I have your assurances to deliver unto us within the specific timeline a document that is both standard and usable over the years,” she said, assuring the team of the ministry’s full support and oversight.

Remi Abdul, Coordinating Director of OEQA, described the unveiling as a “landmark step” toward the standardization of education delivery in Lagos State.

“This initiative is setting the agenda for the standardization of non-state schools in Lagos and potentially across Nigeria,” she said, acknowledging the technical support provided by the DAWN Commission and the PLANE project. Abdul added that the policy would build upon the newly approved National Policy for Non-State Schools and solidify Lagos’ role in its implementation.

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Chairing the committee is Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, Director of Private Education and Special Programmes at OEQA. He outlined the committee’s core objectives, including identifying regulatory gaps, aligning with national policy frameworks, and drafting a proposal to be submitted to the Lagos State House of Assembly for legislative backing.

“Once implemented, this policy will provide non-government education investors with a unified, transparent framework, replacing outdated guidelines and simplifying compliance,” Ogunmuyiwa noted.

The initiative has received strong support from key stakeholders in the education sector. Chief Alaka Yusuf, President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Lagos Chapter, said the policy would significantly enhance quality and consistency across both public and private schools.

Reverend Father Vincent Bankole, representing Catholic Mission Schools, hailed the initiative as “a step in the right direction,” while Alhaji Yaqeen Mansur, Chairman of the League of Muslim School Proprietors in Lagos, added, “For the first time, we are getting it right. This policy will serve as a working paper for every non-state school operator and contribute to Lagos State’s developmental goals.”

The committee’s recommendations are expected to form the basis for enforceable legislation that will govern the operation and regulation of non-state schools across Lagos State.