Out-of-school-children: Ogun Govt embarks on enrolment drive

The government of Ogun State has initiated a statewide school enrolment drive to address the issue of out-of-school children and minimize the number of such cases. This initiative, spearheaded by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, took place across the four divisions of the state. Arigbabu aimed to encourage parents and guardians to enroll their children aged between three and six years in nearby public primary schools for free registration.

This drive, which began during the Dapo Abiodun-led administration, has contributed to increased enrollment and a reduction in the number of out-of-school children in the state.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Oluwatosin Oloko, called on market women to stop using their young children for hawking during school hours. She urged parents to take advantage of the state government's free education policy to enroll their children and secure their future. Tajudeen Adeosun, Chairman of the Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, assured that headteachers and teachers are present in all public primary schools to register pupils for the 2026/2027 academic session. The registration process is ongoing daily from 9am to 1pm across the state.

The Iyalojas of Oke-Aje, Ilaro, Lanfewa, Elega and Kuto markets, Chief Mrs. Risikatu Idowu, Sidikat Owe, Nuratu Okanlawon and Iswat Adewuyi, expressed their appreciation to the government for its commitment to providing access to education for every child in the state.