Gafar Alabi 

The Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, has called on Old Students’ Associations to form formidable unions in public primary schools across the State in order to support Government investment in education.

Ifede made the appeal during a three-day pre-resumption stakeholders’ meeting that include parents, teachers and Old Students’ Associations, organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology for the 2025/2026 academic session at Lisabi Grammar School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.

     The SUBEB boss noted that while Old Students’ Associations have been instrumental in the development of secondary schools, similar structures are needed at the primary school level.

“I observe that Old Students’ Associations are doing very well in secondary schools. It is high time to go back to our foundation. Each of us should return to our primary schools and contribute as Old Students. If you did not attend a primary school in Ogun State, you can adopt one because the need is there,” he said.

Ifede also urged Public Primary Schools to establish School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) to strengthen accountability and ensure effective monitoring of schools, teachers, parents, and even Government.

“We have about 1,567 public primary schools across the State. If each school has a School-Based Management Committee, they will monitor teachers, parents, students, and even Government, because everyone has a role to play. We will ensure that every school has a functional SBMC,” he stated.

He further stressed that education remains free in Ogun State under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, warning teachers against extorting learners through illegal fees.