By joshua POLICY AND LAWMAKERS MAGAZINE CALLS ON KOGI GOVT TO FIX TEACHER SHORTAGE, REVIEW EDUCATION POLICIES
The Publisher of The Policy and Lawmakers Magazine, Prince Bolarin Friday Ogungbemi, has called on the Kogi State Government to urgently review what he described as “inadequacies” in the state’s education sector, particularly the acute shortage of teachers and affordability of schooling.
Speaking at a press conference in Lokoja on Monday, Ogungbemi said the future of public education in the state is under threat due to years of non-recruitment and poor conditions of service.
“It has become imperative for me as a citizen of Kogi State to raise issues for discussion in our educational sector,” he said.
Ogungbemi noted that Kogi has not carried out any major teacher recruitment in almost 10 years despite rising enrollment and mass retirements.
According to him, the State School Board in 2022 identified a need for 9,979 additional teachers. Approval was given for 3,979 under the last administration, but only 1,108 were recruited. About 200 of those later resigned due to poor conditions of service.
“Today, the need gap is about 9,948 teachers,” he said, appealing to Governor Alhaji Usman Ododo to recruit the remaining 2,871 teachers originally approved by former Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
He said the situation is worse in primary schools where the last recruitment was in 2014, leaving many schools with no teachers and “almost closed down.”
“The only saving grace in the primary and secondary school sectors in Kogi State are the high numbers of private schools,” he added, and urged government to lift the ban on employment at state and local government levels.
Ogungbemi Faults “Miracle Centre” Claim
The Publisher also addressed the recent abduction of four persons from Government Secondary School, GSS Olowa in Dekina LGA during the 2026 NECO examinations. The victims — Principal Elder Daniel Iyamaa, NECO ad-hoc official Mr. Solomon Audu, and two candidates — were later rescued unhurt by security operatives.
Ogungbemi expressed dismay at the state government’s description of the school as a “miracle centre.”
He cited NECO’s rebuttal that GSS Olowa is a legitimate public school established in 1979 and has presented candidates since 2000. NECO released enrollment figures of 21 in 2021, 20 in 2022, 28 in 2023, 40 in 2024, and 20 in 2025. The Council also said Kogi paid fees for 51 candidates from the school for 2026 WASSCE.
“Why is this deceitful presentation of facts?” Ogungbemi asked, urging public officials to verify facts before making statements that damage institutional reputations.
Ogungbemi further criticized two circulars issued by the Ministry of Education on July 3 and July 14, 2026, reaffirming the ban on graduation ceremonies for Nursery, Primary 6, and JSS 3 pupils.
While the Ministry, through Commissioner Wemi Jones, said the policy is to ensure affordable education and prevent exploitation of parents, Ogungbemi described it as “a mischief and deliberate act to witch-hunt private schools” that are already paying multiple taxes.
He noted that private school students are compelled to pay for Basic 3 exams and Ministry of Education mock WASSCE, yet are excluded from government-paid examinations.
“The question on the lips of citizens is: how are students and pupils in private schools being catered for by the state government?” he asked.
Ogungbemi concluded by appealing to Governor Ododo to “review, reinforce and revisit” urgent needs in schools, with priority on recruiting qualified teachers.
“Kogi State Government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing quality and affordable education for every child,” he quoted the Ministry as saying, but insisted that commitment must match action on the ground.