Taoreed Abdullahi
The Office of Education Quality Assurance, OEQA, under the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, has engaged key stakeholders in the state’s education sector to develop an academic calendar for the 2025/2026 session, reflecting the views and expectations of all major players.
During a preliminary stakeholders’ meeting held at the NUT Pavilion in Ikeja, the Supervising Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Sesan Ogundeko, addressed major education stakeholders, emphasizing the state government’s commitment to establishing an effective and structured academic calendar.
Represented by the Director of the Basic Education Services Department, Mrs. Abosede Adumasi, the Permanent Secretary reassured stakeholders that the final academic calendar would support academic excellence, student well-being, and holistic learner development across Lagos State.
He reiterated the government’s dedication to an inclusive decision-making process, stating that feedback from stakeholders would shape a sustainable academic structure that enhances learning outcomes.
In his welcome address, the Coordinating Director of OEQA, Mr. Remi Abdul, stressed the importance of collaboration in designing an academic calendar that ensures efficiency and stability in Lagos State schools. He acknowledged the commitment of education stakeholders and clarified that the meeting aimed to gather insights, analyze perspectives, and develop strategic options—not to finalize the academic calendar.
“At the final stakeholders’ meeting, we will ensure that the chosen academic calendar best serves students, educators, and the entire education community in Lagos State,” Abdul assured.
He also issued a strong warning that schools failing to comply with the final academic calendar would face serious consequences from the state government.
Director of the Planning, Research, and Statistics Department at OEQA, Mr. Idowu Hakeem Kehinde, acknowledged an improvement in compliance with the 2024/2025 Academic Calendar but emphasized that OEQA expects full compliance with the 2025/2026 Academic Calendar currently under discussion. He urged various associations present to consider their members’ interests while ensuring alignment with existing guidelines.
Director of Research at OEQA, Mrs Evelyn Pelemo, guided participants through the plenary session and recommended that stakeholders organize themselves into groups of ten per table, each led by a Team Lead and a Secretary for structured deliberations.
Earlier, Assistant Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at OEQA, Mr. David Ojelade reviewed last year’s calendar development process and outlined the 2025/2026 academic guidelines for participants.
He highlighted key factors guiding the preparation of the new calendar, which included statutory public holidays, national examination schedules, alignment with federal and state policies, and challenges identified by stakeholders in previous academic calendars.
Additionally, he noted that the minimum number of learning days remains one hundred and eighty, the mid-term break will be one week, and school resumption after the New Year break will occur in the second week of January.
Various education stakeholders at the meeting commended the initiative, expressing optimism that the 2025/2026 academic calendar would address past challenges and provide a seamless educational experience for students, teachers, and parents.