Ogun State parents have applauded the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his laudable initiatives in the education sector and his relentless efforts to ensure that every child in the state becomes educated.
This parents’ appreciation was accorded the Governor during the enrolment drive exercise for the 2026/2027 academic session to market places and motor parks across the four divisions of the State.
At their respective markets, the Iyalojas of Oke Aje, Ilaro, Lanfewa, Elega and Kuto, Chief Mrs. Risikatu Idowu, Alhaja Sidikat Owe, Alhaja Nuratu Okanlawon and Alhaja Iswat Adewuyi, appreciated the government, noting that the government’s initiatives assured the certainty of a brighter future for every child in the state.
At every market and motor park visited, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu noted that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration initiated the school enrolment drive programme as a strategy to tackle the challenge of out-of-school children in the State with the intention of reducing it to the barest minimum.
Arigbabu, recalled that the initiative which focused mainly on sensitisiting the public on the need to enrol every child at early stage had been in effect since the inception of the present administration, saying it was part of its commitment towards ensuring that every child in the State had access to qualitative free education.
“This is what we have been doing from the inception of the present administration and we have seen improvement in the enrolment, with the level of enthusiasm and feedback toward’s the drive, we envisioned that more children would be brought to school as this will drastically reduce out-of-school phenomenon in Ogun State,” Arigbabu affirmed.
He enjoined parents and guardians with children of three to six years of age to take them to any nearby public primary school for free registration.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Oluwatosin Oloko, urged market women to desist from making their wards hawk around, especially during the school hours, saying all parents should take advantage of the free education policy and enrol their wards.
On his part, Chairman, Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria AOPSHON, Ogun State Chapter, Alhaji Tajudeen Adeosun, assured that as the registration for 2026/2027 academic session is ongoing, all headteachers and teachers would be on ground to register the children from 9am to 1pm everyday.
Meanwhile , the State Head of Service, Mr. Olanrewaju Saka, has also described the legacy projects and other significant achievements of Prince Dapo Abiodun’s led administration in the education sector, as a feat geared towards securing the lives of future generations, not only for the State, but the nation at large.
Mr. Saka, stated this while declaring open A One-Day Workshop for Education Officers organised by Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, with the theme: ‘Advancing Educational Transformation Through Innovation and Professionalism’ at June 12 Cultural centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
He said that every rehabilitated classrooms, instructional materials, trained teachers, digital platforms and other interventions represented public resources committed to the future of the children.
He also appreciated the Governor for sustaining the historic feat the State was known for in the education sector, challenged education officers to keep the flag flying through competence, integrity, impartiality, accountability, confidentiality, respect for due process, commitment to continuous learning, credible assessments, dependable judgments and conduct beyond reproach.
“We must ensure that these investments are properly utilised, maintained and translated into measurable improvements in the learning environment and educational outcomes. Schools should see Education Officers as professional partners in achieving the objectives of the government on education,” Saka noted.
Highlighting the revitalisation strides of Prince Abiodun in the education sector, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu also affirmed that through Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel (Ogun TEACh), over 6,000 teachers had been employed and that the Ogun Education Cash Award for Students Help (EduCASH), had provided succour for indigenous students at all levels.
He noted that Ogun Scholar, a scheme for providing Special Scholarship Programme for learning and research, Ogun State Learning Enhancement and Academic Resource Network (OgunLEARN), an AI digital platform to reduce the burden of lesson notes on teachers, Learners Identification Number (LIN), an initiative for adequate data gathering and efficient education delivery, were part of the initiatives that had earned the State pride of place as far as education was concerned.
In their separate remarks, the Chairmen of Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evang. Olalekan Ifede and Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Apostle Abiodun Sanyaolu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Idowu Onasanya, noted that Education Officers occupy a strategic position within the process and it had become their responsibility to extend beyond routine administration.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Oluwatosin Oloko, submitted that Officers must recognise professionalism as something that transcended beyond possessing qualifications, but an expertise that must reflect in their attitude to work, which included, integrity, punctuality, discipline, communication, responsiveness and willingness to take responsibility for outcomes.
In their separate presentations, a Consultant/Head of School Leadership Programme, Teach for Nigeria, Dr. Chinedu Oluwadamilola, enjoined Officers on advancing educational transformation through innovation and professionalism, while a retired Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ayodele Koleade, taught them on how to strengthen professional ethics, integrity and maintain accountability in their educational service delivery.
Appreciating the Commissioner on behalf of other Officers for putting the workshop together, Mr. Oluwole Oladehinbo and Mrs. Ajimot Hassan, described the workshop as an eye opener, noting that it would enhance their productivity and promote quality service delivery.
