Edo Govt Postpones Resumption Date for Primary, Secondary Schools over Insecurity

• Ex-presidential aspirant urges protection of citizens, not criminalising protests

Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin
 

The escalating security situation in Edo Central Senatorial District has caused Edo State Government to postpone resumption date for primary and secondary schools in the area.

Edo State Ministry of Education, which disclosed the development yesterday, said a new date would be announced later.

In a press statement by Emmanuel Paddy lyamu, Commissioner for Education, the ministry informed the general public, parents, school heads, and proprietors, that the resumption of all public and private schools in Edo Central Senatorial District for the Second Term of the 2025/2026 academic session had been postponed until further notice.

Meanwhile, schools in other senatorial districts resumed Monday, January 12.

Giving reasons for the shift in date, the statement said, “This is to enable us address some exigencies to improve the welfare of our children. The new date of resumption will be duly communicated to the public in due course.

“Parents, guardians, and all education stakeholders within Edo Central Senatorial District are kindly requested to take note of this development and comply accordingly.”

Insecurity had plagued the district, especially Ekpoma, the community the hosts Ambrose Alli University (AAU).

The management of AAU had earlier shut down the school. The management also shifted resumption and commencement of academic activities.

A press release in Benin City on Saturday, signed by Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika, Head, Information, Public Relations and Protocol of the school, said the management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Eunice Eboiserehimen Omonzejie, approved the postponement on behalf of the University’s Senate.

The statement said, “This decision has become necessary to enable the University to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.

“The management is committed to providing a conducive environment for academic excellence and believes that this temporary adjustment will ultimately benefit our students.

“While the university management intends to announce a new resumption date, any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect to allow for effective ongoing renovation works

“In light of this development, the University regrets to announce that the 140th Inaugural Lecture, originally scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations have been postponed. A new date for the lecture and the completion of the examinations will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course.”

Meanwhile, former presidential aspirant on the platform of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Patience Ndidi Ofure-Key, raised the alarm over worsening insecurity in Ekpoma, following protests triggered by kidnapping.

In a statement in Benin, Ofure-Key, who was also one-time governorship candidate of the party in the state, said the spike in kidnap cases in Ekpoma was worrisome. She added that the protest by youths, including those linked to Ambrose Alli University, over the weekend, was a call to action.

She stated that protest against increasing abduc-tions was a sign that fear had enveloped residents in the university community.

Ofure-Key stressed that the protection of lives and welfare of the people remained the primary responsibility of government and security agencies, stating that abandonment inevitably fuelled anger, tension, and protest.

She said where parents dreaded sleeping with their two eyes close, students feared attending classes, the residents would feel they had been deserted, creating a volatile atmosphere that no responsible government should ignore or trivialise.

While condemning violence and lawlessness, Ofure-Key said she understood citizens’ frustration when peaceful appeals for safety were met with silence and inaction.

According to her, people protest not for confrontation but because they feel abandoned. She warned that when social order weakened and desperation deepened, communities would feel unprotected. She expressed concern over allegations that security operatives raided student hostels and arrested protesters, describing such actions as intimidation rather than genuine public safety.