As schools across Lagos State reopen for the 2026/2027 academic session, policy development analyst and educationist, Otunba Muyiwa Ogunlaja, has urged parents, school administrators, transport operators and security agencies to prepare for resumption beyond the usual provision of school supplies.
Speaking on the Lagos segment of The Conversation, Ogunlaja said the start of a new academic year was a major transition requiring coordinated action from all stakeholders, particularly during the early weeks of resumption.
On student safety, Ogunlaja urged parents to remain vigilant and take an active role in monitoring their children’s activities around the school environment. While commending the Lagos State Government for setting up dedicated teams to monitor school security, he said safety should not be left entirely to public infrastructure, stressing the need for closer cooperation between parents and schools.
Ogunlaja also raised concerns about the financial pressure facing families, citing rising rents, transportation costs and declining purchasing power. While acknowledging federal initiatives such as the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), he called on state governments to revive stronger bursary schemes to support families struggling to meet tuition and other school-related expenses.
He expressed support for Lagos State’s harmonised school calendar and uniform scheme of work, saying the policy should apply across public and private schools, including institutions operating foreign curricula. According to him, schools that operate outside the approved academic structure risk violating state regulations and creating disparities in learning.
Ogunlaja further urged students to focus on personal development alongside academic achievement, saying success should not be measured solely by examination results but also by the acquisition of practical skills and the development of character.
He called for a collective approach to the new academic year, urging parents, schools, government agencies and other stakeholders to work together to ensure a safe, structured and productive learning environment for students across Lagos.
