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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Rivers to shut down unapproved private schools from June 15

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The Rivers State government in Nigeria will begin shutting down unapproved private schools on June 15, 2026.
  • The move aims to strengthen quality assurance, protect children's welfare, and promote excellence in private education.
  • Schools must have valid approval certificates and up-to-date renewal fees to continue operating.

The Rivers State government in Nigeria is set to enforce a crackdown on unapproved private schools, with a statewide exercise commencing on June 15, 2026. The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, announced that the initiative is designed to bolster quality assurance and regulatory compliance within the education sector.

The Rivers State Ministry of Education has announced plans to commence a statewide enforcement exercise aimed at closing unapproved private schools operating across the State.

— Dr. Peters NwagorCommissioner for Education, Rivers State, announcing the enforcement exercise.

This decisive action aims to safeguard the welfare and future of children by ensuring they receive education in safe and conducive learning environments. The government emphasized that only schools possessing valid approval certificates and current payment records will be permitted to operate, signaling a strict adherence to established regulations.

Dr. Nwagor directed all approved private schools with outstanding annual renewal fees to settle their arrears immediately. The enforcement will target institutions operating without proper registration and official approval from the Ministry of Education, as well as those failing to meet the required educational standards, in accordance with the state's Private Schools Law.

All private schools operating without registration and official approval from the Ministry of Education, as well as schools failing to meet the required educational standards will be shut down in line with the provisions of the state’s Private Schools Law and other extant regulations.

— Dr. Peters NwagorCommissioner for Education, Rivers State, detailing the criteria for school closure.

The Ministry also provided contact information for school proprietors seeking further details, directing them to the State Quality Assurance Services Office or the Director of SEQAS. This measure underscores the government's commitment to upholding educational standards and ensuring that all private schools contribute positively to the development of students in Rivers State.

Therefore all approved private schools with outstanding annual renewal fees are directed to immediately settle their arrears.

— Dr. Peters NwagorCommissioner for Education, Rivers State, instructing schools on fee payments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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