May 29, 2025
For many private schools in Lagos, achieving official government approval has long felt out of reach—hindered by regulatory bottlenecks, limited resources, and information gaps. But this narrative is beginning to shift thanks to a groundbreaking workshop organized by the Lagos State Government through its Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), under the supervision of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MB&SE), in collaboration with SEED Care & Support Foundation.
Held in Ikeja on May 22, 2025, the workshop titled “Pathway to Progress: Scaling Up Private Schools for Approval in Lagos” marked a historic milestone. As the first-ever free intervention targeting yet-to-be-approved Grade A and B private schools, it brought together education regulators, school proprietors, financial institutions, and education advocates in a shared mission: to streamline the approval process and elevate educational standards across Lagos State.
Setting the Tone: Compliance as a Tool for Growth
In his keynote address, the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun—represented by Mr. Olufemi Asaolu, Director of Basic Education Services—emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in how school owners view compliance:
Compliance is not merely a checklist of bureaucratic hurdles. It is a holistic framework that ensures our educational institutions function with integrity, purpose, and a deep-rooted commitment to excellence.
Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State.
He stressed that thriving schools must demonstrate readiness across key areas including infrastructure, curriculum delivery, teacher qualifications, learner safety, and institutional governance. Accountability—towards parents, learners, and the government—must become standard practice, not an afterthought.
Echoing this commitment, OEQA Acting Director General, Mr. Remi Abdul (represented by Mr. Taofeek Ajibade, Director of Quality Assurance), affirmed the government’s resolve to grant full approval to all qualified schools before the end of the year—provided they meet the necessary requirements.
OEQA’s Ambitious Target: 10,000 Schools Registered & Graded by 2025
Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, Director of Private Education and Special Programmes (PESP) at OEQA, shared the agency’s bold roadmap: registering and grading at least 10,000 yet-to-be-approved private schools across Lagos State by the end of 2025.
Approval is a process, and no school is too small or unqualified to begin it. We are committed to walking with every school on this journey.
Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, Director, PESP, OEQA.
A key part of OEQA’s strategy is its newly introduced classification system—Grades A through D—designed to help schools assess their current status and understand the specific steps required to achieve full compliance. Already, over 3,000 nursery and primary schools and nearly 300 secondary schools are formally registered. This new push aims to expand access to quality education, especially in underserved communities where many private schools currently operate without recognition.
From Workshop to Work Plan
A major highlight of the workshop was a detailed session led by Mrs. Kehinde Ogunlana, Head of Approvals at PESP, OEQA. She unpacked the specific grading metrics used in assessing schools for approval, including: building safety, classroom adequacy, teacher qualifications, health and sanitation facilities, availability of playgrounds and safety measures, proper documentation and records, amongst others.
Participants then joined breakout sessions where they conducted self-assessments with support from OEQA and SEED facilitators. These sessions offered diagnostic tools to help identify compliance gaps, technical limitations, and financing needs—providing school owners with a clearer path forward.
Lessons from the Field: Voices from Approved Private Schools
A dynamic panel discussion featuring approved school proprietors—Mr. Odugbemi Oluyomi (MercyLag High School), Mrs. Vivian Mike-Igni (Keyonaville Schools), and Dr. Olajobi Fatai (The Outliers College)—offered real-world insight into the journey toward approval.
Their stories were filled with practical tips, candid reflections, and encouragement. The consensus? Approval is achievable—with structure, determination, and a willingness to adapt.
Technical & Financial Support through SEED Care & Support Foundation
This is not just a workshop—it’s a transformation lifeline.
Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Executive Director, SEED Care & Support Foundation.
Recognizing the challenges schools face, SEED Care & Support Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting affordable non-state schools on their journey to approval. Mrs. Oniyitan outlined SEED’s multi-tiered approach:
Technical Support: Schools will receive access to training, mentoring, quality assessments, communities of practice, and institutional partnerships.
Financial Support: Through partnerships with commercial banks, microfinance institutions, non-interest banks, mortgage lenders, and government funding programs, SEED is helping schools explore inclusive financial solutions. Opportunities for grants, philanthropic capital, and impact funding are also being explored to meet the unique needs of each school.
Each participating school will develop their tailored “Work Plan” mapping out their gaps and aligning them with relevant technical and financial assistance with support from SEED and OEQA.
A First Step with Far-Reaching Impact
Though the workshop lasted just one day, its impact will ripple far into the future. For hundreds of school owners—many of whom have felt misunderstood or unsupported—it was a powerful affirmation of their efforts and a practical guide toward achieving full approval.
One message rang loud and clear: With the support of SEED and OEQA, no school will be left behind in Lagos State’s education transformation.
A Call to Action
Are you a yet-to-be approved private school in Lagos State?
Now is the time to begin your journey. Register your school and access the support you need to reach full compliance.
👉 CLICK HERE TO START THE REGISTRATION PROCESS
Don’t let uncertainty hold you back. Here’s what participants had to say:
The initiative behind this workshop is extra-ordinary. It is not just about the approval but the hope, motivation, and the push to upgrade school, get approval and maintain the standard of the education.
Amu Olalekan, Yinbol Children Nursery and Primary School
A mind opening one. It demystified the school approval process and how the OEQA functions. Well organised.
Funmilayo Iriferigoma, Laurisdan Nursery and Primary School
This is a laudable event! The transparency was obvious and all my fears have been taken care of.
Oluremi Adesokan, Lightcliffe Schools
NEWS Reports!
Below are some of the media publications on this workshop. Click the links to read more: