The Lagos State Government has directed all yet-to-be-approved private schools operating in the state to immediately commence the registration process with the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA).
The directive was issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, as part of the state government’s sustained efforts to ensure that all educational institutions below the tertiary level meet prescribed standards and provide safe, compliant and quality education to learners.
Alli-Balogun said the present administration remains committed to sanitising the education sector and will no longer condone the proliferation of yet-to-be-approved schools operating outside the regulatory framework of the state.
He disclosed that OEQA had organised two comprehensive training programmes in 2026 for yet-to-be-approved schools on the approval process. According to him, the training was designed to demystify the requirements, provide practical guidance to proprietors and make the journey to approval more seamless and transparent.
“We have simplified the process and provided all the necessary support. The government has done its part by engaging and training over 800 yet-to-be-approved schools this year alone. What is left is for proprietors to demonstrate compliance and willingness to do the right thing. Approval is not a witch-hunt; it is for the safety of our children and the credibility of your own institution,” he said.
He urged all affected schools to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the government and regularise their status without further delay.
The Commissioner also expressed profound appreciation to private school owners for their continued partnership and collaboration with the Lagos State Government in providing quality education to children across the state.
He noted that private schools remain critical stakeholders in the delivery of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda and commended them for complementing the government’s efforts in expanding access to education.
Also speaking at the OEQA Conference Room, Alausa, Ikeja, the Director-General of OEQA, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, said registration is mandatory for all private schools in accordance with the Lagos State Education Law and appealed to proprietors of the affected private schools to comply.
Ogunmuyiwa noted that the rapid proliferation of private schools in the state makes proper registration, documentation and data capture necessary for effective monitoring, quality assurance and targeted intervention.
He explained that yet-to-be-approved private schools can submit their applications for registration at the OEQA Office, Block 5, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
He added that the process is straightforward, with officers of the agency available to provide professional guidance to proprietors.
According to him, registration offers several benefits, including official recognition and listing by the state government, eligibility for state and private-sector intervention initiatives, access to technical and financial support programmes, capacity-building opportunities for teachers, and timely information on emerging policies, reforms and opportunities in the education sector.
He assured that the Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, remains committed to ensuring that every child in the state has access to safe, inclusive, compliant and quality education.
He added that the registration and approval of private schools remains a crucial step towards achieving the education objectives of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda.
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