The Ogun State Government has reiterated that its ban on graduation ceremonies for pupils and students in non terminal classes remains in force, warning that approved public and private schools that violate the directive will face sanctions.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, gave the warning on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu. He said the directive, first introduced in 2024 following complaints from parents over excessive charges for end of session celebrations, applies to every government approved school in the state.
Arigbabu stressed that no approved school was exempt from the policy, warning administrators against organising graduation ceremonies for pupils merely moving to the next class.
“The directive is for all schools, public or private, as long as the school is approved by the state government. So, if any school goes against that directive, well, I pray that the school is not caught,” he said.
He added, “If any school decides to go against the directive we are giving, let them not forget that we are the regulators.”
According to the commissioner, the government introduced the restriction to shield parents from unnecessary financial burdens caused by annual graduation ceremonies for non terminal classes.
Speaking on the education sector under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, Arigbabu said the government had embarked on a comprehensive education revitalisation agenda focused on curriculum development, school management, technology, funding, infrastructure and student welfare.
“I would say that the administration came on board and, because the government was not really pleased with what it met, we activated what we call the Ogun State Education Revitalization Agenda,” he said.
The commissioner said the state had expanded digital learning through flagship schools and smart classrooms, noting that 236 public schools currently operate smart classrooms, with more expected before the end of the administration.
He also highlighted investments in infrastructure through the Ogun Rehab initiative, saying new classrooms had been constructed while existing facilities were undergoing renovation across public schools.
On workers’ welfare, Arigbabu said the administration had resolved longstanding promotion delays inherited from previous governments.
“Teachers now get their salaries on time, and the backlog of promotions that were met by the administration was cleared from 2016. That’s not for teachers alone, it’s actually for all civil servants,” he stated.
The commissioner disclosed that Ogun’s education reforms were attracting national attention, revealing that five states had indicated interest in understudying the state’s initiatives.
“About five states have indicated interest in coming here to study some of the initiatives we have in the education sector because what we are doing interests them,” he said.
Arigbabu also said Ogun had become a national leader in technology driven education, citing the introduction of the learner identification number and OgunLearn, an artificial intelligence powered teaching and learning platform.
“We have also implemented what we call OgunLearn. OgunLearn is the first of its kind, artificial intelligence powered teaching and learning platform that is making teaching and learning very robust in our schools now,” he added.
He further said the state had revamped its eight technical colleges with modern facilities and equipment sourced from the United Kingdom, Turkey and China, while also expanding vocational education and plans to integrate Quranic schools into the formal education system.
