Residents said Kajola Nursery and Primary School, though largely dilapidated, had continued to provide basic education for children aged between three and 13 years.
Residents of Ajegunle in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State raised the alarm over what they described as the alleged grabbing and sale of a government-owned primary school by a member of the Ajegunle royal family.
At the centre of the controversy was Kajola Nursery and Primary School, located at 159 Kirikiri Road, opposite Second Benue Bus Stop, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, a public school that had served children in the Godo area, Kirikiri axis and Dankaka communities for decades.
Community members accused Hon. Wale Oluwa, Secretary to the Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, orchestrated the disposal of the school land to a private individual popularly known as “North America.”
Residents said Kajola Nursery and Primary School, though largely dilapidated, had continued to provide basic education for children aged between three and 13 years.
According to official records cited by residents, the school had an estimated population of about 638 pupils as of 2023 and served a densely populated local government with over 824,000 residents.
WATCH: Residents Accuse Ajegunle Royal Family Of Selling Government Primary School In Lagos@lasgeducation @followlasg pic.twitter.com/1Ayr3Cr1aA
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They alleged that the purported sale of the school land had worsened the already poor state of infrastructure, contributing to a sharp decline in enrolment as many parents were forced to move their children to unregulated and substandard private schools in the area.
For many Ajegunle residents, the school was more than a learning centre.
They described it as a critical social institution that helped reduce crime, curb social vices and provide opportunities for vulnerable children.
Some residents argued that the alleged disposal of a public school amounted to a violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guaranteed access to basic education, as well as international principles promoted by UNESCO on children’s right to education.
There were also claims that the alleged transaction was being backed or supervised by Hon. Sabur Akanbi Oluwa (SAO), a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency II.
Residents alleged that the political influence of the Oluwa family had created fear among teachers and education officials, leaving them reluctant to speak out.
The development was said to be unfolding under the watch of the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, who was also a resident of Ajeromi-Ifelodun.
Residents called on the Lagos State Government to immediately investigate the allegations, halt any form of encroachment on the school land, and protect public education assets.
When SaharaReporters contacted Hon. Wale Oluwa, he denied selling any government school property.
“The place in question was not school but shared a boundary with school,” he said.
“I did not know why they kept putting me on. It was a family property. The family donated to schools, hospitals, cemetery, markets and all. The place in question was family property left unattended to and was just over one plot of land.
“Education authorities had written to the family even before then to come attend to it as it had been a security threat to the school beside it. The land was owned by the family. We gave some part to build the school and the one they complained that we sold was not inside the school. It was not being used by the school.”