Oyo State Government Mandates Reopening of 23 Schools Amidst Boundary Dispute -

In a significant development, the Oyo State government has issued a directive for the reopening of 23 schools situated in Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East, and Oyo West local government areas.

This was contained in a statement released by Commissioner for Information and Orientation,
Oyo State, Dotun Oyelade who said the decision comes as Deputy Governor Barrister Bayo Lawal intervened in the long-standing boundary crisis that led to the closure of these educational institutions for a decade.

The Deputy Governor, who also serves as the chairman of the State Boundary Committee, convened a crucial stakeholders’ meeting at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan, to address the age-long land dispute and find viable solutions. Barr. Bayo Lawal charged the chairmen of Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East, and Oyo West LGAs to prioritize security and peace within their domains, emphasizing that any security breaches would hold the chairmen accountable.

Furthermore, Barr. Lawal declared that the Ministry of Education would oversee the schools upon their reopening. He assured that the Ministry would take all necessary steps to facilitate the return of children to school. He urged members of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing the affected constituencies to collaborate with community leaders in ensuring the successful resumption of academic activities.

Expressing appreciation for the Oyo Global Forum’s involvement, a non-partisan group of professionals from the four LGAs in the Oyo federal constituency, Barr. Bayo Lawal commended their interest in the progress of the affected schools.

Assuring stakeholders of the Surveyor General’s involvement to address the boundary dispute among the communities, Barr. Lawal appealed to community leaders to adhere to the Oyo State Government’s decision regarding the schools.

In his address, Barr. Lawal emphasized the urgency of reopening the schools and appealed to the elders and chairmen of the affected local governments to consider the future of the children. He stated, “The primary reason this meeting is held is for the schools that were closed for 10 years to reopen immediately. That is the message from the governor himself.”

The list of affected schools spans Oyo West LG, including Community Basic School Obananko, Community Basic School Laagbe, Pinnock Memorial Bapt School Aba Epo Oluwatedo, Bapt Basic School Oluwatedo, St. Luke Anglican Bada Idiyalode, L.A. Basic School Ago Oyo, and Community Basic School Igbo Olose.

In Oyo East LG, impacted schools include Community Basic School Adebimpe, Community Basic School Obasere, St. Thomas Anglican School Alabi Olorunda, St. Michael RCM Apaara Village, Methodist Primary School Ajagba, Bapt Central School Oniyanrin, Bapt Primary School Aguo, ADS Primary School Baba Elesin, L.A. School Lannite, L.A. Primary School Gudugbu Orile, L.A. Primary School Gudugbu, ADS Primary School Aba Olori, ADS Primary Abujakan, L.A. Basic School Alagbon, and L.A. Basic School Imeleke.

The meeting, attended by key figures including the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, and the Executive Chairman of Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, marked a collaborative effort among traditional leaders and other stakeholders to ensure the swift reopening of these educational institutions.