In continuation of the statewide effort to sanitize the education sector, the Cross River State Ministry of Education has intensified its enforcement exercise aimed at shutting down all illegal and unapproved schools operating without the mandatory Approval to Operate (ATO). The Ministry’s task force, inaugurated by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, with the approval of Governor Bassey Otu and the State Executive Council, continued its operations on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, across various Local Government Areas of the state to ensure compliance with government standards and to promote quality education.
As part of the ongoing exercise, the Ministry closed 36 illegal schools on Monday, October 20, 2025, and an additional 33 illegal schools on Tuesday, October 21 — bringing the total number of closed schools to 69 across the state.
In Calabar South LGA (Calabar Educational Zone), 15 schools were shut down, including:
- Angels Court High School, 82 Goldie Street
- Etel Academy, 1 Webber Street off Target
- David City Schools, 42 Murray Street, Mayne Avenue
- Future Assured International Nursery & Primary School, 21 Amika Utuk off Goldie
- Salem Victory Academy Nursery, Primary & Secondary School, 182/192 Goldie Street
- Divine Grace Schools, 20B Akpanim Street off Goldie
- High Grace (Quest) International Secondary School, 13 St. Mary’s Close off Ekpo Abasi
- Destined Leaders International Schools, 48 Ekpo Abasi Street
- Elssin International Schools, 29 Howell Street
- Grace Ambassador/Potters Nursery, Primary & Secondary School, 8 Utokang Street
- Overcomers International Nursery & Primary School, Mosembe Street off Jebs Road
- Divine Future Academy, 5 Okon Archibong Street
- The President Pathway Schools, 14 Okon Archibong Street
- Happiness Foundation School, 12 Abitu Avenue, Jebs
- Divine God’s Grace Academy Secondary School, 33 New Airport Road
In Boki LGA (Ikom Educational Zone), nine (9) schools were closed, including:
- Precious Nursery & Primary School, Iruan, Boki
- Seed of Wisdom Nursery & Primary School, Borum, Boki
- St. Mary’s Nursery & Primary School, Katchuan Iruan, Boki
- Christ Total Secondary School, Katchuan Iruan, Boki
- Liberty Nursery & Primary School, Iruan, Boki
- Liberty Secondary School, Katchuan Iruan, Boki
- Unity Group of Schools Nursery & Primary, Bankpor, Boki
- The Lord’s Redeem Nursery & Primary School, Borum, Boki
- Evangel Light Academy, Etomob Road, Ikom
In Ogoja/Yala LGAs (Ogoja Educational Zone), eight (8) unapproved schools were also shut down:
- Flourish Christian Learning Academy, Mfom II, Ogoja
- Monaku Great Light Academy, Mfom I, Ogoja
- St. Mary Anglican Nursery & Primary School, Yahe, Yala
- Glo-Gold International Nursery & Primary School, Yahe, Yala
- God General Academy, Yahe, Yala
- Spring Board Secondary School, Yahe, Yala
- Lutheran Nursery & Primary School, Woleche, Okpoma, Yala
- Champion Royal Academy, Olachor, Okpoma, Yala
The Ministry emphasized that the exercise is corrective rather than punitive, aimed at ensuring all schools operate within approved standards and provide quality teaching and learning environments.
Reiterating the Ministry’s position, Senator Professor Stephen Odey warned proprietors of unapproved schools to regularize their operations by obtaining the Approval to Operate (ATO) or risk permanent closure.
“Our goal is to protect children from substandard learning environments and uphold the integrity of our education system,” Senator Odey stated. “Every school must meet the required standards before operating in Cross River State.”
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the enforcement exercise across all educational zones until the state’s education sector is fully sanitized and aligned with national standards.
By SaintAugustine Adula Odey
