Cross River Seals 58 Schools in Crackdown on Unapproved Education Centres

The enforcement exercise, being conducted by the state Ministry of Education through its Department of Quality Assurance, targets schools that have failed to meet the regulatory requirements for operating nursery, primary and secondary educational institutions.

The Commissioner for Education, Stephen Odey, said the exercise was aimed at enforcing education standards, protecting pupils and students, and ensuring that schools operate within the state’s approved regulatory framework.

The government said the inspections would continue across Cross River State’s 18 local government areas as authorities work to identify unapproved institutions and ensure compliance with existing regulations.

Odey warned that schools sealed during the operation must not resume activities until they have obtained the necessary approval from the relevant authorities. He also cautioned proprietors against violating closure orders, saying offenders could face further sanctions.

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According to the state government, the enforcement campaign is not intended to victimise school owners but to ensure that all educational institutions meet the minimum requirements for safe and effective teaching and learning.

Among the schools identified in the government’s October 10 announcement were Impact Group of Schools, Gospel Beacon Academy and Divvy Bliss Schools in Calabar Municipality.

Others included Warriors Seed Academy, Children of Promise Christian School and Future Amazing International Schools in Calabar South.

In Odukpani Local Government Area, the government listed De-Royal Academy School, Maria Assumpta Nursery/Primary School and Success Kids Nursery/Primary School among the affected institutions.

Five schools were also identified in Akamkpa Local Government Area: Creative Brain International School, St. Luck’s Anglican Nursery/Primary School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Hot Brain Academy and Armour Christian International School.

The latest closures followed earlier enforcement exercises announced by the government during the week. On October 9, authorities reported identifying 15 schools operating without approval in Calabar Municipality, Odukpani and Yakurr. On October 8, another nine schools were reported shut in Calabar Municipality, while 14 schools were identified in Calabar South on October 7.

The successive operations form part of the government’s effort to strengthen school regulation and quality assurance across the state. However, the individual batches should not be added together without a consolidated list confirming that no school has been counted more than once.

The government has urged proprietors of affected schools to approach the appropriate authorities to regularise their operations and obtain the necessary approvals before reopening.

Parents and guardians have also been encouraged to verify the approval status of schools attended by their children to ensure that the institutions comply with the state’s requirements.

The closures could disrupt learning for pupils and students whose schools have been affected, particularly where families need to find alternative institutions. The government has not provided a consolidated public list of all 58 schools in the reports reviewed or announced a common reopening date for the affected institutions.

The crackdown follows an earlier warning issued by the state government in August 2025, when it announced plans to close unapproved nursery, primary and secondary schools from September of that year.

The state government has maintained that compliance with school approval requirements is necessary to uphold educational standards and ensure that institutions operate within the law.