In a bold move to combat food insecurity, the Ogun State Government has commenced the demolition of illegal structures erected on lands belonging to public primary and secondary schools. The initiative aims to reclaim these spaces for agricultural activities that will both feed the state and educate students in practical farming.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, made this known over the weekend in Abeokuta, stating that Governor Dapo Abiodun had ordered immediate action to address the widespread encroachment.
According to Arigbabu, the state is witnessing alarming levels of land invasion, with individuals and organisations unlawfully occupying school property. “The issue of encroachment is really alarming, and we are very concerned about it,” he said. “The governor has given a clear directive that any structure erected without proof of legal ownership, such as a valid survey plan, will be removed.”
He revealed that the Ministries of Lands, Physical Planning, Justice, and Education have formed a task force to identify and demolish such illegal structures. Some demolitions have already taken place, though the commissioner noted that the problem persists, with fresh encroachments springing up even as others are cleared.
The reclaimed land, he said, will be put to immediate use for farming activities by students, providing them with hands-on agricultural education while contributing to the state’s broader food sufficiency plan.
“School farms will serve dual purposes — educational and productive. It’s part of our integrated approach to tackling hunger while instilling valuable skills in our students,” Arigbabu added.
The government reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law and preventing further encroachments, particularly in cases where land documentation exists and legal boundaries are clearly defined.
