The Lagos State Government has announced plans to commence a comprehensive statewide enumeration of private schools, aimed at creating a reliable database to strengthen policy formulation, planning, and development in the education sector.
The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, by the Coordinating Director of the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Mr. Remi Abdul, at the OEQA Conference Room.
The exercise, he said, received the approval of the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun.
According to Abdul, the enumeration will generate accurate statistics on enrollment, infrastructure, staffing, and the distribution of schools across local government areas.
It will also serve as a baseline for evaluating standards, enhance collaboration between government and stakeholders, and provide credible data for agencies such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and the National Bureau of Statistics.
“This enumeration is not merely a counting exercise; it is a strategic initiative to provide accurate, current, and comprehensive information about private schools across Lagos State.
The data will guide policy formulation, resource allocation, and sector-wide planning,” Abdul explained.
Data to be collected will cover school identity, facilities, teaching and non-teaching staff, and student demographics by class, age, and gender. Schools are expected to designate Education Management Information System (EMIS) Officers to work with OEQA field officers during the process.
Abdul assured proprietors that the exercise would not disrupt school operations. “All information collected will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality and used strictly for planning and policy purposes.
This exercise is designed to support, not burden, private educational providers,” he noted.Highlighting the benefits, he added that enumerated schools will gain official recognition in the state’s educational database, access to government support programmes and training, and opportunities for collaboration with other providers.
Updates to the database will be conducted quarterly to reflect changes in student and teacher population as well as performance outcomes.
Information on the process will be shared via the OEQA website, WhatsApp groups, and other official channels. Schools are required to register through a dedicated link or contact the OEQA directly.
The launch was attended by top OEQA officials and representatives of major private school associations, including the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria, Lagos Baptist Schools, Muslim Schools Proprietors Association of Nigeria, and the Education Reformers Association of Nigeria.
Abdul called for full cooperation from stakeholders, saying: “Your participation will not only benefit your institutions but will also strengthen the entire private education sector by providing the data necessary for informed decision-making and strategic planning. Together, we are building the foundation for a world-class educational system in Lagos State.”
