Oyo State Reopens 23 Schools Closed for 10 Years Due to Land Dispute

The Oyo State government has reopened 23 schools in Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East, and Oyo West local government areas that were closed ten years ago due to a land dispute. This decision follows the resolution of the boundary dispute between the communities involved. The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, made this announcement in a statement on Thursday, highlighting the successful resolution of the age-long dispute at a stakeholders meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal.

During the meeting held at the Western Hall, Ibadan, Deputy Governor Lawal urged all stakeholders to prioritize peace, warning against any actions that could disrupt the peace of the communities. He also called upon lawmakers representing the affected communities to collaborate with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to ensure a lasting solution to the dispute.

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Expressing concern for the future of the children affected by the school closures, Lawal emphasized the immediate reopening of the schools as a priority. He underscored the government's engagement with various stakeholders and their unanimous agreement on the necessity of reopening the schools for the children's sake.

Some of the schools affected by the closure include Community Basic School Obananko, Community Basic School Laagbe, Pinnock Memorial Bapt School Aba Epo Oluwatedo, St. Luke Anglican Bada Idiyalode, L.A. Basic School Ago Oyo, Community Basic School Igbo Olose, among others in Oyo West LG, as well as schools in Oyo East LG. The reopening of these schools aligns with the state government's efforts to address the issue of out-of-school children, aiming to reintegrate 1.5 million out-of-school children into the education system through various initiatives.