Lagos State is on track to officially release a harmonised academic calendar for the 2025/2026 school year within two weeks, following the final stakeholders’ review meeting held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
EpeInsights reports that the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, disclosed this during the high-level session held at the Education Resource Centre (ERC) in Ojodu.
The meeting, convened by the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), brought together key education stakeholders to finalise the proposed calendar before formal approval.
The Commissioner praised the dedication and collaboration of education stakeholders across the state and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to improving the quality and structure of the school system.
“All parties have come together with a common goal, to create a calendar that supports learning, teacher welfare, and effective school management. We are confident that a final version will be ready for release within two weeks,” he stated.
He stressed the importance of a consistent two-month break after the third term, aimed at allowing teachers to rest and recharge.
“This break is not negotiable. It is essential for teachers to plan, bond with their families, and return refreshed. School owners must not encroach on it,” he warned.
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, Director of General Services in the Basic Education Services Department, Mrs. Bosede Adumasi, aligned the initiative with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus agenda.
She underscored the importance of a unified calendar for coordination, planning, and accountability across public and private schools.
Coordinating Director of OEQA, Mr. Remi Abdul, in what marked his final official engagement before retirement, called the harmonisation effort a major step in building a well-structured academic environment.
He emphasized that the proposed calendar options had been carefully evaluated to reflect both national realities and local educational needs.
“This calendar harmonisation process has been deliberate, inclusive, and forward-looking. It embodies the spirit of collaboration that Lagos education is known for,” Abdul said.
While a tentative calendar has been developed, Abdul cautioned stakeholders not to publicise it until it receives official approval from the Ministry.
OEQA Director of Planning, Mr. Hakeem Idowu, added that the calendar takes into account public holidays, national and international examinations, and school operational diversity. Director of Research, Mrs. Evelyn Pelemo, also thanked stakeholder groups—ANCOPSS, NUT, NAPPS, LEAMSP, AFED, AISEN—for their role in shaping the new academic year.
The event also featured goodwill messages from leaders of various educational associations, reflecting unity and optimism for a more structured and inclusive school calendar across Lagos State.
