The Kogi State Government has issued a firm warning to private schools within the state, cautioning against any attempt to obstruct or avoid participation in the 2024/2025 Annual School Census (ASC).
The Kogi State government also stated that any form of non-compliance would attract strict penalties, including fines and potential school closure.
This warning came from the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, during the launch of a stakeholders’ sensitization meeting held in Lokoja.
The event was organized to lay the groundwork for a smooth and successful school census exercise across the state.
Hon. Jones emphasized the importance of the census as a key tool for effective planning, data collection, and equitable distribution of educational resources.
He made it clear that participation is compulsory for all schools—both public and private—warning that the state will not tolerate resistance.
“Any private school that fails to cooperate with census officials risks facing a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira or being shut down entirely,” he stated.
“This exercise is not meant to punish anyone but to ensure that every school is included in the state’s education development strategy, especially under the free education policy.”
He reiterated the Ododo administration’s commitment to evidence-based governance, noting that accurate data from the census would guide targeted interventions and planning in the education sector.
The Commissioner also noted that all census materials are free, urging school proprietors to see the exercise as a collaborative effort rather than government interference.
Supporting the message, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Hon. Abdullahi Abdulmalik, called the census a crucial step toward obtaining real-time, reliable data for educational development and urged all stakeholders to give their full support.
In her presentation, Dr. Animoku Elizabeth, Director of Educational Research, Planning and Statistics, detailed the scope of the census, including student enrollment, teacher qualifications, training history, and available learning resources. She acknowledged previous challenges such as misinformation and poor awareness but assured that new digital tools would ensure a smooth, transparent process.
Other participants at the meeting—including Hon. Joe Best Omeiza, Chairman of the Forum of Senior Special Assistants; Pastor Reuben Jimoh, head of the association of private secondary school proprietors; and the Chairperson of the Kogi State Senior Secondary School Education Board—praised the ministry’s initiative and pledged their cooperation.
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The sensitization meeting marks the launch of a statewide campaign to collect accurate data from all schools, reinforcing the state’s commitment to strengthening its education system through inclusive and well-informed policies.
