Ogun Public School Principal Under Fire, Allegedly Extorts Students, Demands N25,000 To Sit For Exam

A wave of outrage has swept through the Atan Ota community in Ogun State following allegations of illegal levies and misconduct by the Principal of Local Government Secondary Commercial Junior School, Mrs. Jacob Oriade. The accusations, brought forth by concerned youth leaders and community members, involve the imposition of an unofficial ₦25,000 levy on students preparing for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

In a formal petition submitted to the Ogun State Ministry of Education, the group condemned what they described as “systematic extortion” and “deliberate sabotage of students’ future.” The ₦25,000 fee is said to be a prerequisite for students to participate in the BECE mock exams — a condition they argue is unlawful and discriminatory.

The breakdown of the unapproved charges includes:

Solar light: ₦2,000

Sportswear: ₦6,000

Extra lessons: ₦6,000

Gateway past questions: ₦3,000

ID card and testimonial: ₦2,500

School fees: ₦3,000

Report card: ₦2,500

Total: ₦25,000

Recommended News:

• Sagamu LG Boss, Ogbeni Odulate Appoints Land Advisory Committee To Boost Transparent Land Administration
• Sode Road Rehabilitated As Ogbeni Odulate Fulfills Early Second Term Commitment
• BREAKING: Hon. Damilare Bello ‘DRE’ Named Aremo Adeen Of Remoland By Chief Imam of Remo

“These charges are not part of the government-approved school fees and have created fear and financial strain among students and their families. Some students are now opting for labor jobs and construction work rather than miss out on exams they cannot afford,” the petition read.

Community sources also revealed that the school’s Parent-Teacher Forum (PTF) has become defunct due to the alleged high-handedness of the principal. The PTF Chairman, Mr. Shobowale, reportedly disapproved of the levies and described the school as being operated “like a private business” under the sole control of the principal.

The concerned youth have demanded urgent intervention from the Ogun State Government, outlining five key actions:

1. Immediate cessation of the illegal levies;

2. Transparent publication of the official school fee structure;

3. Disciplinary investigation into the conduct of the school principal;

4. Reactivation of the Parent-Teacher Forum;

5. Clear financial policy guidelines for all public schools in the state.

“This is not just a financial issue. It’s a crisis of access, fairness, and the right to quality education. We urge the government to act swiftly and protect the integrity of our public education system,” said one of the community representatives.

As at press time, attempts to reach the principal for comments were unsuccessful.

The petitioners emphasize that this is the first time such a complaint is being formally raised against the school leadership, and they hope it marks the beginning of reform and accountability in public school administration across Ogun State.