The Ondo State Government has announced the temporary closure of selected public primary and secondary schools across the state ahead of the All Progressives Congress House of Assembly primary election scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The directive, issued through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, affects schools that have been designated as polling centres for the conduct of the party’s internal legislative primary elections. Authorities say the decision is aimed at ensuring safety, order, and smooth coordination of the electoral process within affected communities.
According to the government, the temporary closure became necessary because several school premises have been selected as venues for voting by party delegates, a common practice in Nigerian electoral arrangements where schools often serve as secure and accessible polling locations.
Officials explained that academic activities in the affected schools will be suspended for the duration of the exercise to prevent disruption to learning and to safeguard pupils, students, teachers, and school property.
The Ministry of Education noted that the closure applies strictly to identified schools being used as polling units, while other public and private schools across Ondo State are expected to continue normal academic activities without interruption.
Education authorities further clarified that normal academic work will resume immediately after the completion of the election exercise, with schools expected to reopen on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
The government emphasized that the arrangement is temporary and does not reflect any alteration to the academic calendar, assuring parents and guardians that learning continuity remains a top priority.
Officials also stated that the decision was taken in consultation with relevant security agencies and electoral stakeholders to ensure that the use of school facilities for political activities does not expose students or teachers to any form of risk or disruption.
School administrators in the affected institutions have been instructed to immediately notify parents, guardians, and staff members about the closure and ensure strict compliance with the government directive.
Local education authorities across the state have also been tasked with monitoring compliance and providing support to schools during the temporary suspension period.
The use of school premises for electoral activities is a recurring practice in Nigeria, as educational institutions often provide spacious, accessible, and neutral grounds suitable for voting processes. However, such arrangements usually require temporary suspension of academic activities to maintain order and security.
The Ondo State Government reiterated its commitment to protecting the education sector while also supporting democratic processes within the state. Officials stressed that both education and governance must operate in harmony without compromising safety or institutional integrity.
In recent years, Nigerian states have increasingly adopted coordinated approaches between education authorities and electoral bodies to ensure that schools used as polling centres are properly secured before, during, and after elections.
Security agencies are expected to be deployed to affected areas to maintain peace and order throughout the electoral exercise. Authorities say adequate measures have been put in place to prevent any form of disruption, vandalism, or unauthorized access to school facilities during the election.
Parents and community leaders have been urged to remain calm and cooperative, with assurances that the temporary closure will not negatively affect academic performance or examination schedules in the affected schools.
Education stakeholders in the state have also expressed confidence that the arrangement will be properly managed, noting that previous similar exercises have been conducted without significant disruption to the academic calendar.
Some observers have, however, called for continued investment in alternative voting venues such as community halls and civic centres to reduce dependence on schools for electoral purposes, thereby minimizing interruptions to academic activities.
Despite these suggestions, officials maintain that schools remain one of the most practical options for elections due to their accessibility, security infrastructure, and availability across both urban and rural areas.
The state government assured residents that it remains committed to improving both the education system and democratic processes, stressing that the temporary closure is in the best interest of safety and orderly conduct of the election.
As political activities intensify ahead of the House of Assembly primary election, stakeholders have continued to call for peaceful conduct, urging political actors and supporters to avoid any actions that could disrupt public institutions or community stability.
The Ministry of Education reaffirmed that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates where necessary, while ensuring that learning resumes smoothly immediately after the election.
For now, attention remains focused on ensuring a peaceful and well organised electoral process, while minimizing the impact on academic activities across affected schools in Ondo State.
