By Charles Maduka
The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a 17-member committee tasked with developing and implementing a new policy to regulate and standardise the operations of private and mission-owned schools across the state.
The initiative, unveiled on Thursday at the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, is designed to align non-state schools with national education benchmarks while addressing Lagos’ unique educational landscape.
According to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Abisola Dokumu-Adegbite, the move reflects Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to delivering inclusive and high-quality education across all learning institutions in the state.
“The committee is expected to produce a policy of world-class standard. I hope I have your assurances to deliver unto us within the specific timeline, a document that is both standard and useable over the years,” Dokumu-Adegbite said.
She assured the committee of full government support and oversight to ensure the project is completed within the two-month deadline.
The Coordinating Director of OEQA, Remi Abdul, described the policy development as a “landmark step” that would reshape the landscape of non-state education in Lagos and could serve as a model for other states.
“This initiative is setting the agenda for the standardisation of non-state schools in Lagos and potentially across Nigeria,” he said, praising the DAWN Commission and PLANE for their technical backing.
Heading the committee is Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, Director of Private Education and Special Programmes at OEQA. He explained that the policy would introduce a transparent and unified regulatory framework, replacing outdated systems and easing compliance for education investors.
“The aim is to ensure that all non-government education providers operate within a clear, enforceable structure that promotes quality, equity, and accountability,” Ogunmuyiwa said.
The committee’s responsibilities include identifying existing regulatory gaps, aligning Lagos policies with the recently approved National Policy for Non-State Schools, and submitting a draft framework to the Lagos State House of Assembly for possible legislative adoption.
Stakeholders present at the event expressed support for the initiative. Chief Alaka Yusuf, President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (Lagos Chapter), said the policy would “enhance the quality of education and ensure consistency.”
Also speaking, Reverend Father Vincent Bankole of the Catholic Mission Schools and Alhaji Yaqeen Mansur of the League of Muslim School Proprietors applauded the move, calling it a long-overdue reform to improve educational standards across the board.
The committee is expected to submit its draft recommendations within two months, laying the groundwork for new legislation to regulate private and mission schools in Lagos.
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