Kogi State Government has closed several schools found to be operating illegally in some parts of the state.

This followed an enforcement visit by a team from the State Ministry of Education in the Zariagi and Kabba Junction communities near Lokoja, the state capital.

Leading the operation was the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Mathew Salami, who described the closures as necessary to protect the integrity of education in the state.

According to Mr. Salami, investigation by the ministry of education revealed that the affected institutions had been functioning without formal approval and fell short of minimum standards required for academic operations in the state.

“Running a school without government recognition not only violates the law, but also endangers the academic future and safety of our children. We are committed to maintaining quality in our schools, and illegal institutions will not be allowed to operate”, he said.

“Those affected by the crackdown are Davine Favor School, Visyet Academy, Daarul Kitab Islamic Training Center, Success Field Academy, and Olugrade Academy. Others include The Builders House Edu Care School, The Way Excellence Nursery/Primary School, and Almuahajrun Islamic Academy”, he added.

According to the Director, many of the schools lacked basic facilities and resources such as classrooms, toilets, and trained teachers, stressing that several of these institutions have also failed to undergo the state’s mandatory registration and quality assurance processes.

He maintained that the affected school owners have been instructed to report to the Ministry and commence the proper registration process if they wish to resume operations, adding that the closures are part of a larger government effort to eliminate unregulated institutions that compromise the learning environment in the state.

The Director also issued a strong warning to parents and guardians, urging them to verify the approval status of schools before enrolling their children.