June 22, (THEWILL) – As part of efforts to curb hunger and boost food security, the Ogun State Government has begun the demolition of illegal structures encroaching on lands belonging to state-owned primary and secondary schools to pave the way for farming activities.
This move, according to the government, is aimed at encouraging agricultural activities within school premises to support the state’s food sufficiency agenda.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, who disclosed this over the weekend in Abeokuta, said Governor Dapo Abiodun had directed the immediate removal of any structures illegally erected on public school lands.
Arigbabu said his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministries of Lands, Physical Planning, and the Bureau of Lands, has been mandated to identify and demolish any illegal structures found on school lands, especially where there is no proof of ownership such as a valid survey plan.
“The issue of encroachment is really alarming, and we are very concerned about it.
“The state governor has given a clear directive that any structure erected by individuals or organizations on school land without legal ownership should be demolished,” the commissioner stated.
“We’ve already taken action in several areas where structures have been removed. It has become a recurring issue.
“As we resolve it in one location, it springs up in another. It’s quite disturbing how people have made school lands targets for encroachment,” he added.
Prof. Arigbabu emphasised that the initiative is part of the state’s broader strategy to use available school land for farming activities by students, thereby promoting practical agricultural education and supporting food production efforts across the state.
“There’s a committee involving the Ministries of Justice, Lands, Physical Planning, and Education that’s actively reviewing these cases.
“Once we obtain the survey plan of a school, we forward it to the Ministry of Physical Planning to take appropriate action. The real challenge comes when there’s no available survey, but in cases where documentation exists, we’ve been able to enforce the law effectively,” he said.
