By Sunday Ameh
The Ogun State Government has reiterated that its ban on graduation ceremonies for pupils in non-terminal classes remains in force, warning that approved public and private schools that violate the directive risk sanctions.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, issued the warning during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.
He said the directive applies to all schools approved by the state government, regardless of ownership, stressing that the government would not hesitate to enforce compliance.
“The directive is for all schools, public or private, as long as the school is approved by the state government. If any school goes against that directive, I pray the school is not caught because government is the regulator,” he said.
Arigbabu explained that the policy, first introduced in 2024, was aimed at protecting parents from what he described as extortion and excessive financial demands imposed by some schools through graduation ceremonies for pupils merely advancing to the next class.
He noted that the government decided to reinforce the ban ahead of the 2026 third-term completion activities, warning that school administrators who organise unauthorised graduation ceremonies would face appropriate sanctions.
Speaking on the education sector under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, the commissioner said the government launched an Education Revitalisation Agenda anchored on six pillars, including curriculum development, school management, technology and innovation, infrastructure, funding, and student welfare.
According to him, the administration has expanded smart classrooms across public schools, established 86 flagship schools and continued to improve science education through technology-driven learning.
He said over 236 schools currently operate smart classrooms, adding that more schools would benefit before the end of the administration.
Arigbabu also highlighted ongoing infrastructure development under the Ogun Rehab initiative, which includes the construction of new classroom blocks and the renovation of existing academic buildings across the state.
On teachers’ welfare, the commissioner said salaries are now paid promptly while promotion arrears dating back to 2016 have been cleared.
“The backlog of promotions inherited by this administration has been cleared from 2016, and that is not only for teachers but for all civil servants,” he said.
He disclosed that Ogun’s education reforms have attracted national attention, with five states indicating interest in studying the state’s initiatives for possible adoption.
The commissioner also said Ogun had become a national leader in technology-driven education through initiatives such as the Learner Identification Number and OgunLearn, an artificial intelligence-powered teaching and learning platform.
According to him, the state currently boasts Nigeria’s best teacher, who emerged winner at the state, South-West and national levels.
Arigbabu further revealed that all eight government technical colleges in Ogun State have been rehabilitated and equipped with modern facilities sourced from the United Kingdom, Turkey and China to strengthen technical and vocational education.
He added that the government is also integrating Quranic schools into the formal education system through the Integrated Quranic School and Integrated Quranic and Tsangaya School programmes as part of efforts to expand access to quality education.
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