The Edo State Government has indefinitely postponed the resumption of all public and private schools in Edo Central Senatorial District, a decision that appears linked to escalating insecurity in the region, which has been marked by recent violent protests and widespread public anxiety over kidnappings.
The announcement, made by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, cited the need to address certain exigencies and improve the welfare of pupils, though the statement did not explicitly reference the security situation that has gripped communities across the district in recent weeks.
“The new date of resumption will be duly communicated to the public in due course,” Iyamu said in the statement. “Parents, guardians, and all education stakeholders within Edo Central Senatorial District are kindly requested to take note of this development and comply accordingly.”
Edo Central Senatorial District is the home region of Governor Monday Okpebholo, and its administrative headquarters, Ekpoma, has recently become a flashpoint for public anger over deteriorating security conditions. The district, which also includes towns such as Irrua, Uromi, and Auchi, has witnessed a surge in criminal activity, particularly kidnappings, prompting widespread fear among residents.
In recent weeks, violent protests erupted in Ekpoma as residents took to the streets to express frustration over the persistent abductions that have terrorised the area. The demonstrations quickly escalated, with angry protesters vandalising the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, the traditional ruler of the town, and looting shops in the vicinity. The incident drew strong condemnation from the state government, which described the actions as unacceptable and a threat to law and order.
The wave of kidnappings in Edo Central has become a source of deep concern for both the government and local communities. Reports of abductions along major roads and within residential areas have created an atmosphere of fear, disrupting daily life and economic activity. Parents have been particularly apprehensive about the safety of their children, with many expressing reluctance to send them to school amid the prevailing insecurity.
The decision to postpone school resumption reflects the gravity of the situation and suggests that the government is prioritising the safety of students and staff over adherence to the academic calendar. While the official statement did not provide a timeline for when schools would reopen, the indefinite nature of the postponement indicates that authorities are awaiting measurable improvements in the security environment before allowing academic activities to resume.
Edo State has grappled with security challenges for several years, with kidnapping, armed robbery, and cultism remaining persistent threats in various parts of the state. The situation has been exacerbated by the activities of criminal gangs operating along major highways and in rural communities, often with apparent impunity. The federal and state governments have deployed security operatives to the affected areas, but the effectiveness of these measures has been questioned by residents and civil society groups.
Governor Okpebholo, who assumed office in November 2024, has faced mounting pressure to address the security crisis in his home senatorial district. His administration has pledged to work with security agencies to restore peace and stability, though concrete results have yet to materialise in the eyes of many residents.
In a separate development, the governor recently assured the management of Ambrose Alli University, also located in Ekpoma, of his administration’s commitment to addressing longstanding financial and infrastructural challenges facing the institution. The university, one of the oldest state-owned tertiary institutions in Nigeria, has suffered years of neglect, with staff salaries, gratuities, and pensions left unpaid by previous administrations.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dr Patrick Ebojele, Okpebholo made the assurance when he received the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie, and members of her management team on a courtesy visit to Government House, Benin City, in late December.
“From what you have outlined today, it is clear that Ambrose Alli University was on life support. I must commend the progress you have recorded so far since assuming the office,” the governor said, according to the statement. “I am impressed by your efforts, and I want to assure you that in any way possible, this administration will support the university to reposition it and restore its lost glory.”
Okpebholo described the non-payment of staff salaries over several years as unfair and unacceptable, vowing to make the resolution of the arrears a priority project for his administration. “It is not right for people to work and not be paid. The issue of unpaid salaries, pensions, and gratuities running into billions of naira is something I will take as a project,” he said. “These are issues inherited from the past government, and we will address them.”
The governor also acknowledged other concerns raised by the university management, including inadequate hostel infrastructure, accreditation-related challenges, and the need for improved facilities for programmes such as Medical Laboratory Science.
Ambrose Alli University has long been regarded as a symbol of academic excellence in Edo State, but years of financial mismanagement and government neglect have severely undermined its capacity to function effectively. Staff unions have frequently embarked on strikes to protest unpaid salaries and poor working conditions, disrupting academic activities and tarnishing the institution’s reputation.
