Friday, April 17, 2026 - The Lagos State Government has commenced moves to introduce a unified academic calendar for the 2026/2027 session for both public and private schools across the state.
A statement issued by the Lagos State government said the
process was flagged off on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting organized
by the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) at the NUT Pavilion in
Alausa, Ikeja.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Basic and
Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, called for stronger
cooperation among stakeholders, stressing the need for accountability, teamwork
and strict adherence to laid-down standards in schools.
He explained that the proposed calendar, when finalized,
would be compulsory for all schools, covering key areas such as teaching
periods, holidays and examination timelines.
According to him, the initiative is designed to promote
uniformity across the education system and improve learning outcomes, noting
that inclusive participation is vital for lasting progress.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abisola
Dokunmu-Adegbite, described a harmonised academic calendar as essential for
continuity, efficiency and long-term planning in the education sector.
Represented by the Director of Basic Education, Mrs.
Oluwatoyin Oyedele, she urged stakeholders to contribute practical and workable
ideas that would strengthen the process.
On his part, the Director-General of OEQA, Dr. Sulaimon
Olagoke Ogunmuyiwa, stressed the importance of full compliance, warning that
inconsistencies could weaken quality assurance efforts. He added that
monitoring would be intensified to ensure adherence across schools.
Ogunmuyiwa also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to better
service delivery through its S.C.R.I.P.T.S framework, which focuses on staff
capacity, collaboration, revenue, governance, professionalism and technology.
“Our vision is to become the leading educational quality
assurance agency in Africa. Already, within Nigeria, people come to study what
we do. But the key target is to be the best quality assurance agency in the
world” Ogunmuyiwa said.
Earlier, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics
at OEQA, Mrs. Evelyn Pelemo, said the meeting marked the starting point of the
calendar development process, aimed at gathering inputs, addressing emerging
challenges and drawing up initial options for the 2026/2027 academic session.
She noted that the approach would ensure that the final
calendar is practical, workable and widely accepted.
In his presentation, the Head of Policy, Planning and
Training unit, Mr. David Ojelade, highlighted the importance of the academic
calendar in maintaining order, coordination and efficiency within the school
system.
He outlined key guidelines for the development process,
including minimum instructional days, structured term periods, public holidays
and breaks, as well as final validation.
Stakeholders at the meeting commended the initiative, noting
that a unified calendar would create a smoother academic experience for
students, teachers and parents.
Participants at the meeting included representatives of the
Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board
(LASUBEB), Association of Providers of Education in Nigeria (APEN), All Nigeria
Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), and the Association of
Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON).
Others in attendance were officials from the Lagos State
Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), League of Muslim
Proprietors (LEAMPS), Catholic Mission Schools, West Africa Examination Council
(WAEC), Ministry of Health, and Government Model College, Ikorodu, among
others.
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