The Ogun State Government has officially set Monday, January 5, 2026, as the date for the commencement of the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session. This directive applies uniformly to all public and private primary and secondary schools, as well as technical colleges across the state.
Official Announcement from Abeokuta
Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, made the announcement via a statement released in Abeokuta. He confirmed that the resumption date is in strict adherence to the previously approved Ogun State Academic School Calendar for the ongoing session.
The statement explicitly urged parents and guardians to ensure their children and wards are fully prepared to return to school on the stipulated date. The expectation is for academic activities to begin immediately upon resumption.
A Contrasting Reality in Taraba State
While Ogun State prepares for a standard return to classes, the landscape of education in Taraba State is undergoing a significant transformation. As schools there also reopen on Monday, the experience for thousands of students and families will be markedly different.
This follows a recent directive from Governor Agbu Kefas ordering the immediate closure of all boarding hostels in both public and private secondary schools across Taraba. The policy, introduced as a safety measure against rising insecurity and fears of student abductions, has effectively converted every secondary school in the state into a day school.
Safety Intentions vs. Daily Realities
Augustina Godwin, the Taraba State Commissioner for Education, defended the move as a necessary response to a nationwide surge in kidnappings and attacks on educational institutions. She highlighted that boarding facilities in Taraba had become particularly vulnerable targets.
However, the practical consequences of this policy are now deeply felt. Students who once lived within the structured environment of school compounds now face daunting daily journeys.
Many are forced to wake before dawn to board buses, trek long distances, or rely on unreliable transportation just to reach their classrooms. Educators report that the stability and supervised study hours provided by boarding life have been replaced by challenges like:
- Longer and more exhausting commutes.
- Increased absenteeism and irregular attendance.
- More distractions from home environments.
This shift underscores the complex balance between ensuring student safety and maintaining an effective, accessible learning environment in regions grappling with security challenges.
