Lagos May Shut Exclusive School For Indians

Indications have emerged that the Lagos State government may shut an Indian Language School located in Ilupeju area of the state over allegations of admitting only children of Indian nationals.

The state’s commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun who gave the hint during a ministerial briefing on the first-year anniversary of the second term of Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu administration, held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos said the state government has commenced investigation into the allegation.

He said the state government might shut the foreign school if found wanting by the investigating team already set up.

Alli-Balogun while answering a question bordering on the matter stressed that the state government might wield the big stick against the Indian school in Ilupeju where Nigerian children are denied admission for not being Indian nationals.

“Officials of the State Ministry of Education have visited the school and investigation is being deepened to ascertain the veracity of the report.

“I can assure you that an appropriate action will be taken against the school if the investigation team finds the school wanting.

“At the end of our investigation, if the school is found culpable, it would be shut down,” he stated.

Alli-Balogun maintained that denying any child admission into any school runs contrary to the Child Rights Act which the Lagos State government has domesticated.

Also, the state government said at least 12 private schools in the state have been shut between 2023 and now for various infractions, including violation of basic education standards and safety rules.

“In January 2024 alone four schools were shut for safety infraction and Illegal operations. We usually do not seal during school sessions. We only seal while the schools are on recess so as not to disrupt academic work,” he said.