Group Accuses Ogun Govt of Plot to Transfer Public Schools to Political Allies

Group Accuses Ogun Govt of Plot to Transfer Public Schools to Political Allies

A civic group, Rights and Freedom Advocates (RIFA), has accused the Ogun State Government of planning to unlawfully transfer ownership of public schools to private individuals and political associates, describing the alleged move as “unconstitutional” and “a form of stealing by proxy.”

The allegation was contained in a press statement issued by the group’s president, Luqman Soliu, on April 13, 2026, in response to reports that the state government had decided to “return” some public schools to former owners or affiliated organisations.

RIFA, however, dismissed the claim of “returning” schools, insisting that the policy under consideration amounts to the “donation of public schools to cronies of government officials.”

According to the group, such a move would amount to abuse of public trust and a violation of constitutional provisions guiding the management of state assets.

“What Ogun State government plans to do is not return of public schools but donation or stealing by proxy of public schools,” the statement said, adding that the alleged plan is “dubious and fraudulent.”

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The organisation argued that the schools in question have undergone significant public investment over the years and should remain fully under government ownership, warning that any attempt to transfer them outside public control would amount to mismanagement of state resources.

RIFA further contended that some of the schools had previously been acquired by the government from private owners who were compensated at the time of takeover, stressing that reopening ownership claims could set a “dangerous precedent.”

The group also criticised the justification for the alleged plan, suggesting it could be linked to political patronage. It alleged that government officials may be attempting to reward political allies with public assets instead of investing in new educational infrastructure.

It warned that such actions, if carried out, could undermine access to affordable education, particularly for students from low-income families who depend on public schools.

RIFA further referenced past transitions in the state’s education sector, recalling previous administrations that undertook reforms in public schools, and argued that the focus should be on improving infrastructure rather than altering ownership structures.

The group urged the state government to abandon any plan that could be interpreted as privatising or reallocating public educational assets without broad stakeholder consultation.

It also called on civil society organisations, education stakeholders, and the public to closely monitor developments to ensure accountability in the management of public property.

The Ogun State Government has not yet issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.

Group Accuses Ogun Govt of Plot to Transfer Public Schools to Political Allies