PRESS RELEASE
OEQA ENGAGES EDUCATION STAKEHOLDERS ON 2025/2026 ACADEMIC CALENDAR DEVELOPMENT
… Targets 100% Compliance with Academic Calendar
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 that reflects the views and expectations of all major players.
During a preliminary stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday at the NUT Pavilion, Ikeja the Supervising Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Sesan Ogundeko, mni, addressed major education stakeholders, emphasising the state government’s commitment to an effective and structured academic calendar.
Represented by Director, Basic Education Services Department, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abosede Adumasi, the Permanent Secretary reassured stakeholders that the final academic calendar would be designed to 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 was meant 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 and sanctions from the state government.
Mr. Idowu Hakeem Kehinde, Director, Planning, Research, and Statistics Department at OEQA, acknowledged an improvement in compliance with the 2024/2025 Academic Calendar but emphasised that OEQA expects full compliance with the 2025/2026 Academic Calendar currently under deliberation.
He urged various associations present to consider their members’ interests while ensuring alignment with the existing guidelines.
Mrs. Evelyn Pelemo, Director, Research at OEQA, whilst taking the participants through the plenary session recommended that stakeholders should organize themselves into groups consisting of 10 participants per table each led by a Team Lead and a Secretary for proper structured deliberations.
Earlier, Mr. David Ojelade, Assistant Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at OEQA, provided a review of 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, including: Statutory public holidays, National examination schedules, Alignment with federal and state policies, challenges identified by stakeholders in previous academic calendars.
Additionally, he noted that: the minimum number of learning days remains 180, the mid-term break remains one week, School resumption after the New Year break will be 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.
Attendees included representatives from Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Public and private school representatives, parent-teacher associations, examination bodies and education administrators amongst others.
Adepeju Adeyemi
DD, Public Affairs
21st- 03- 2025
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