The Cross River State Government has shut down 10 unapproved schools in a fresh enforcement exercise aimed at sanitising the education sector and ensuring compliance with approved standards across the State.
The enforcement, carried out by the State Ministry of Education through its Quality Assurance Department, targets schools operating without the required Approval to Operate (ATO).
Commissioner for Education, Senator (Prof.) Stephen A. Odey, said the exercise was aimed at safeguarding the future of pupils and students by ensuring that schools meet the required standards for effective teaching and learning.
“The exercise is aimed at safeguarding the future of our pupils and students by ensuring that schools meet the required standards for effective teaching and learning,” Odey said.
He urged proprietors operating without approval to regularise their institutions, warning that any school sealed by the Ministry and reopened without authorisation would face appropriate sanctions.
Odey said the enforcement would continue across all 18 Local Government Areas, stressing that government remained committed to ensuring that educational institutions operate within the approved regulatory framework.
“The exercise will continue across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State,” he said, urging proprietors of unapproved schools to take immediate steps to regularise their institutions.
As of October 2, 2026, 10 schools had been shut down during the latest enforcement exercise, with nine located in Calabar-South and one in Odukpani Local Government Area.
The affected schools in Calabar-South are Aunty Offiong’s Talent Nursery/Primary School, Dreams and Destiny Manifestation Nursery/Primary School, Abba’s Delight Kids Academy, Evangel High School, Destined Headers International School, Phronesis-Sunesis School of Excellence, Emerald Bay Schools, Elsin Foundation and Bridgeway International Schools.
Also shut down was God’slife Nursery/Primary School in Odukpani Local Government Area.
The Commissioner reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to protecting the quality, safety and integrity of education across Cross River State, stressing that compliance with approved standards was essential to providing pupils and students with a safe and conducive environment for learning.
The government said the enforcement would continue across the State as the Ministry intensifies monitoring and regulatory activities to ensure that schools comply with approved requirements.
By Patricia Ogbeche
