The Lagos State Government has commenced plans to introduce a unified academic calendar for the 2026/2027 session across all public and private schools in the state.
The initiative was flagged off during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) at the NUT Pavilion in Alausa, Ikeja.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders. He emphasised the need for accountability, teamwork, and strict adherence to established standards in schools.
He explained that the proposed calendar, once finalised, would be mandatory for all schools and would cover key areas such as teaching periods, holidays, and examination timelines. According to him, the move is aimed at promoting uniformity and improving learning outcomes across the state.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, described a harmonised academic calendar as critical for ensuring continuity, efficiency, and long-term planning within the education sector. Represented by the Director of Basic Education, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Oyedele, she urged stakeholders to contribute practical and implementable ideas.
The Director-General of OEQA, Dr. Sulaimon Olagoke Ogunmuyiwa, stressed the importance of compliance, warning that inconsistencies could undermine quality assurance efforts. He added that monitoring mechanisms would be strengthened to ensure adherence across schools.
Ogunmuyiwa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to improved service delivery through its S.C.R.I.P.T.S framework, which focuses on staff capacity, collaboration, revenue, governance, professionalism, and technology. He noted that the agency aims to become a leading educational quality assurance body in Africa and globally.
Earlier, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at OEQA, Mrs. Evelyn Pelemo, said the meeting marked the beginning of the calendar development process. She explained that it is intended to gather inputs, address emerging challenges, and develop workable options for the upcoming academic session.
In his presentation, the Head of Policy, Planning and Training Unit, Mr. David Ojelade, highlighted the role of an academic calendar in ensuring order, coordination, and efficiency within the school system. He outlined key considerations for the development process, including minimum instructional days, structured term periods, public holidays, and validation procedures.
Stakeholders at the meeting commended the initiative, noting that a unified calendar would create a more seamless academic experience for students, teachers, and parents.
Participants included representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Association of Providers of Education in Nigeria (APEN), All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON).
Others in attendance were officials from the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), League of Muslim Proprietors (LEAMPS), Catholic Mission Schools, West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the Ministry of Health, and Government Model College, Ikorodu, among others.
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