The Cross River State government has stepped up its crackdown on illegal schools, shutting down 20 more institutions operating without the required approval to operate in Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, Odukpani and Akamkpa Local Government Areas.
Key Highlights
- Cross River shuts 20 more schools operating without government approval.
- The affected schools are in Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, Odukpani and Akamkpa LGAs.
- Odukpani recorded the highest number of closures with seven schools.
- Education Commissioner Prof. Stephen Odey warns closed schools must not reopen without authorisation.
- The enforcement exercise will be extended to all 18 LGAs of the state.
This is as the state government intensifies efforts to rid the education sector of unapproved operators.
The latest enforcement exercise, carried out by the Department of Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Education, underscores the government’s determination to ensure that all schools operate within the law and provide children with properly authorised and monitored learning environments.
Commissioner Warns Proprietors
Commissioner for Education, Prof. Stephen Odey, on Friday, warned that any school shut down for operating without the required approval must not reopen without official authorisation from the appropriate government authorities.
He stressed that proprietors who defy the closure order would face appropriate sanctions, adding that the government would not compromise the future of children by allowing unapproved schools to operate unchecked.
Odey reaffirmed that the enforcement exercise would be extended to all 18 local government areas of the state, demonstrating the government’s resolve to enforce compliance with established educational standards and protect learners from inadequately regulated institutions.
According to the commissioner, the exercise is aimed at safeguarding pupils and students, upholding educational standards and ensuring that all schools meet the state’s regulatory requirements before commencing operations.
Full List Of Affected Schools
In Calabar Municipality, the affected schools are Impact Group of Schools, Gospel Beacon Academy, and Divvy Bliss Schools.
In Calabar South, the closed schools are Warriors Seed Academy, Children of Promise Christian School, Future Amazing International Schools Limited, Glad Tidings Academy, and Panorama International Schools.
In Odukpani Local Government Area, the affected institutions are De-Royal Academy School, Esine Maria Assumpta Nursery/Primary School, Success Kids Nursery/Primary School, Delightsome International School, Sparkling Academy, Goodness Academy, and Joanleff Excellent Institute.
The five schools shut down in Akamkpa Local Government Area are Creative Brain International School, St. Luck’s Anglican Nursery/Primary School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Hot Brain Academy, and Armour Christian International School.
Read also:
- Cross River Shuts Nine Illegal Schools in Calabar Municipality Over Lack of Approval
- Cross River Seals 14 Illegal Schools In Calabar South Over Lack Of Approval
- Cross River shuts 156 illegal schools in 2025
The Ministry of Education urged school proprietors across the state to comply with established regulations and obtain the necessary approval before commencing operations, warning that failure to meet the requirements would attract appropriate sanctions.
The state government pledged to sustain its monitoring and enforcement activities across all 18 local government areas to eliminate illegal school operations, protect the integrity of the education system and ensure that children receive education in approved learning environments.
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