The Principal of Ondo State School for the Visually Impaired, Owo, Mrs. Morolayo Oluwaseun Agbele, has openly defied Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s directive that six expelled students of the school be reinstated.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, a fortnight ago, reportedly ordered the reinstatement of the students, insisting their expulsion was not justified.
The students were expelled earlier in the year after they protested against what they described as the poor quality of food served in the school.
They also complained that secondary school students were forced to trek along the highway to Owo High School to attend classes after the school bus broke down.
But in a telephone interview with journalists on Tuesday, Mrs. Agbele maintained she would not readmit the affected students until she received a formal directive in writing.
“The school is a state government school, and all my actions are strictly based on directives from the Ondo State Ministry of Education. I have not received any black-and-white (written) directive—whether from the Ministry or in connection with the Governor’s statement—authorizing me to readmit them,” she said.
When pressed further, the principal added:
“I have been instructed from the state Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology not to allow the students into the school except there is a letter to that effect. Since no such letter has come, I cannot take them back.”
However, Mrs. Agbele declined to disclose the name of the Ministry official who gave her such instruction.
Documents obtained by journalists show that on May 3, 2025, the principal issued a circular to parents on the school’s WhatsApp platform.
In it, she announced the official reopening of the school on May 5, 2025, while making it clear that six students remained expelled.
The circular read in part:
“I have been directed by the Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology to inform you that our school will officially reopen on May 5th, 2025.
Important Notes:
Expelled Learners
The following six students remain expelled as directed by the State Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology:
– Ifedayo Adebanji
– Sola Oluwasijibomi
– Felix Adeyemo
– Anthony Victor
– Damilola Kehinde
– Oyinbo Samuel
These students will not be reinstated under any circumstances.”
The principal’s insistence on a formal directive has now pitched her against the governor, raising fresh concerns about insubordination within the state’s education system.
