Lagos Warns Unapproved Private Schools, Orders Immediate Registration

The Lagos State Government has warned private schools operating without the required approval to immediately begin the registration process and regularise their operations.

The directive was issued by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, as part of the government’s efforts to ensure that schools across the state meet prescribed educational, safety and operational standards.

The Commissioner said the government would no longer tolerate the proliferation of private schools operating outside the state’s regulatory framework.

He disclosed that the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) had organised training programmes for yet-to-be-approved schools in 2026 to help proprietors understand the approval requirements and regularise their institutions.

According to the government, more than 800 yet-to-be-approved schools have been engaged and trained this year.

The Director-General of OEQA, Dr Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, said registration is mandatory for private schools under Lagos State education regulations.

He urged affected school proprietors to commence the registration process without further delay.

The OEQA provides verification and approval procedures covering areas including school buildings, physical facilities, teacher qualifications, health and sanitation, safety measures and statutory records.

The Lagos State Government said the exercise is aimed at improving quality assurance and ensuring that children in the state have access to safe and compliant learning environments.