Hussaini Ibrahim 
KWARA, Nigeria – Authorities in Kwara State have shut six private schools in Ilorin after uncovering what officials describe as alarming hygiene failures and complete disregard for basic sanitation standards.
The Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) conducts the enforcement exercise on Saturday following a series of inspections across the capital.
According to KWEPA, the affected schools operate without functional toilets and expose pupils to preventable health risks due to poor waste-management systems and unclean surroundings. Officials say these violations breach public-health regulations designed to protect children in learning environments.
Head of the School Department, Mrs Wulaimat Musa, says the government will not permit institutions to operate without meeting minimum sanitation requirements. “Schools are expected to meet minimum sanitation standards before operating,” she states, warning that unsafe facilities endanger children. She adds that “any institution that endangers the health of children will face strict enforcement.”
The agency explains that the closures were executed under the Kwara State Environmental Protection Laws, which mandate functional toilets, clean premises and structured waste-disposal mechanisms in all educational facilities.
KWEPA confirms that the affected schools will remain sealed until they install appropriate sanitation infrastructure and undergo a verification process confirming full compliance.
Officials also urge other school owners across the state to prioritise pupil wellbeing by maintaining hygienic facilities, warning that further violators will face swift action.
The enforcement marks one of the state’s strongest public-health interventions in recent months as authorities intensify efforts to curb sanitation-related illnesses and strengthen safety standards in schools.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Chukwu Obinna 
