A/Ibom Shuts 341 Illegal Schools, Boosts Free Education With N35bn

Akwa Ibom State government has underscored the importance of education as the major driver of socio- economic development and warned that no sharp practices capable of compromisng standard in the sector would be tolerated.

Consequently, the administration LEADERSHIP learnt, had since launched a massive clampdown on illegal schools, shutting down no fewer than 326 illegally structured schools in 2025, and 15 others as the new school year commenced in September 2026 across the 31 local government areas bringing the total to 341.

However, towards a functional fee education scheme, the administration, at the ongoing Ministerial Briefing on the sectoral performances held at Akpan Isrmin Hall, Government House, Uyo, disclosed that it has invested N35 billion to update infrastructure and teachers’ welfare.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, and Hon. Anietie Etuk, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), at the joint presentation, clarified that the state’s free education policy principally covers tuition, while government has gone beyond the policy by absorbing examination fees and other costs as additional interventions.

He warned that charging tuition fees in public schools was prohibited and urged parents and members of the public to report any school or teacher demanding unapproved payments.

He said, “The government had also intensified its campaign against illegal schools operating without approval from the Ministry of Education, leading to more than 326 illegal schools being shut down between September and October 2025, following inspections which examined their locations, learning environments, teachers and compliance with approval conditions.”

He disclosed that the exercise had resumed for the 2026/27 academic session, with more than 15 other schools already closed during the latest operation.

The commissioner explained that the government was particularly concerned about schools operating in residential buildings, churches and other unsuitable environments, with cases where several primary classes were reportedly being conducted in single rooms.

According to him, operators who reopened schools after closure had been handed over to the Police for prosecution, adding that that pupils and students with disabilities were covered by government interventions, including special grants, while about N1.6 billion had been released for bursaries.

He further stated that the State’s education budget had risen from about N17 billion to more than N35 billion, describing the increase as “evidence of the administration’s increased financial commitment to the sector.”

The commissioner, therefore, called for stronger publicity around government schools and urged parents to take advantage of the improved facilities, particularly the model schools, while encouraging the media to showcase educational achievements and exceptional students from the state.

The huge financial investments in the basic schools system, they noted, has led to increased enrollment and reduction in the number of out – of – school children.