The Rivers State Ministry of Education, Southern part of Nigeria, has announced plans to commence a statewide enforcement exercise aimed at shutting down unapproved private schools operating across the state as part of efforts to strengthen quality assurance and ensure compliance with educational regulations.
The exercise, scheduled to begin on Monday, June 15, 2026, was disclosed in a public interest announcement signed by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor.
According to the commissioner, the initiative is designed to safeguard educational standards and ensure that children across Rivers State receive quality education in safe and conducive learning environments.
Dr. Nwagor stated that all private schools operating without registration and official approval from the Ministry of Education would be affected by the enforcement action.
“Schools that have failed to meet the minimum standards required for educational institutions would face closure in accordance with the provisions of the state’s Private Schools Law and other existing regulations,” he stated.
The commissioner emphasised that the government remains committed to sanitising the education sector and promoting excellence in private school administration.
He noted that the enforcement exercise is not intended as a punitive measure but rather as a necessary step toward protecting the welfare and future of schoolchildren while maintaining the integrity of the state’s education system.
As part of the directive, approved private schools with outstanding annual renewal fees have been instructed to immediately settle all arrears.
Dr Nwagor warned that only schools possessing valid approval certificates and up-to-date payment records would be permitted to continue operations after the commencement of the exercise.
He reiterated that the state government would not compromise on standards and urged school proprietors to ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements.
“Adherence to established guidelines is essential for sustaining quality education and fostering public confidence in private educational institutions,” he said.
To facilitate compliance and provide guidance to school owners, the Ministry advised proprietors seeking further clarification to visit the State Quality Assurance Services (SEQAS) Office located at Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS), Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt.
They may also contact the Director of SEQAS, Dr Chinedu Wordu, for additional information.
The Ministry assured residents that the enforcement exercise forms part of the Rivers State Government’s broader strategy to improve educational outcomes, uphold best practices in school administration, and create an environment where every child has access to quality learning opportunities.
Officials expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen regulatory oversight and contribute to the overall development of the state’s education sector.
