Imo Education Ministry Accused of Corruption as Private School Proprietors Decry Exploitation
The Proprietors of private schools in Imo State have raised alarm over what they describe as widespread corruption and systemic extortion within the state Ministry of Education, accusing notorious Commissioner Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha and his staff of turning regulatory oversight into a revenue-generating scheme.
Speaking under the condition of anonymity, several school owners alleged that the Ministry’s operations have become increasingly exploitative, stifling private education rather than supporting it. “What we are experiencing is regressive, oppressive, and dangerous to the future of education in Imo State,” one proprietor said.
According to the proprietors, the Ministry has imposed a series of unofficial fees and backdoor charges on private schools, undermining transparency and violating due process. They cited numerous examples where services such as site inspections, school approvals, and access to approved textbook lists were reportedly tied to illegal payments.
“In addition to paying official levies through the Treasury Single Account (TSA), we are coerced into paying as much as ₦100,000 unofficially just to get inspectors assigned to our schools,” a proprietor disclosed. “Accessing the Ministry’s approved booklist costs ₦30,000, even though it should be freely available.”
The complaints extend further. After settling all statutory fees, schools are still subjected to questionable charges, including fees labeled as “teller verification,” “ministry handling,” and “file room charges.”
“Every official payment is effectively doubled before we are attended to,” another school owner lamented. “The result is that these costs are transferred to parents and students, defeating the goal of affordable education as enshrined in the Constitution.”
The proprietors also expressed grave concern over the delay in conducting key examinations for the 2024/2025 academic session, including the Common Entrance into JSS1, Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (JSSCE), and the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC). With the new academic year set to begin in a matter of weeks, they see this as evidence of administrative incompetence and insensitivity.
“This level of neglect is unacceptable. It signals a lack of seriousness from those managing our education system. If we must redeem our educational future, this carelessness must end,” one stakeholder stated.
Independent checks by this publication corroborated several of the claims, with further investigations ongoing. Observers warn that if substantiated, the scandal could seriously damage the credibility of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s “Shared Prosperity” agenda for the education sector.
The proprietors are now calling on the Governor to urgently intervene and address what they describe as a crisis. “What is happening in the Ministry of Education casts the current administration in a very negative light, especially when compared to other states,” a concerned proprietor said.
A civil society organization monitoring the situation has also weighed in, threatening to escalate the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if urgent disciplinary actions are not taken.
“If these allegations are confirmed, the Commissioner and all officials involved must be held accountable,” the group stated.
