A New Dawn for Senior Secondary Education: Gov. Aiyedatiwa Establishes OSSEC to Unlock Federal Funding

Akure, Ondo State — In a major policy decision aimed at revolutionizing the infrastructure landscape of its high schools, the Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has officially approved the establishment of the Ondo State Senior Secondary School Education Board (OSSEC). This strategic move aligns the Sunshine State with a crucial Federal Government directive, enabling it to access much-needed intervention funds dedicated solely to upgrading facilities in senior secondary schools.

The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, who stated that the creation of OSSEC is a direct and proactive response to the National Senior Secondary School Education Commission (NSSEC) Act, 2023.

“With this definitive approval, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has fully aligned with the Federal Government’s resolve to upgrade infrastructure in our secondary schools,” Professor Ajibefun asserted. He emphasized that the new board will work collaboratively with the National Senior Secondary School Education Commission (NSSEC) to effectively address the severe infrastructural deficit currently plaguing the state’s Senior Secondary Schools.

The Federal Mandate and Funding Window
The establishment of OSSEC is mandated by the NSSEC Act, signed into law in 2023, which seeks to address years of neglect in the senior secondary education sub-sector, which was previously the only segment without a dedicated regulatory and intervention agency.

ADVERTISEMENT

Crucially, the NSSEC Act provides for the establishment of a National Senior Secondary Education Commission Fund, which is expected to be financed by at least 2% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federation. However, states can only qualify for grants from this intervention fund if they comply with the Act by establishing a State Senior Secondary Education Board and contributing a minimum of 5% counterpart fund to support infrastructural projects.
By creating OSSEC, Ondo State has successfully positioned itself to unlock access to these substantial federal resources, shifting the cost of significant school rehabilitation and construction away from the state’s sole burden.

Distinct Scope and Anticipated Benefits
Dr. Akindele Ige, the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry and a key member of the establishment committee, shed light on the specialized functions and benefits of the new board.

Dr. Ige explained that OSSEC’s scope is distinct and targeted: it will specifically assume responsibility for the management of facilities and infrastructure in Senior Secondary Schools (SSS1 to SSS3). This ensures a clear line of operational demarcation from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), which will continue to manage facilities and infrastructure from primary schools up to Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3).

“OSSEC will lead to improved funding for school management and essential infrastructural development,” Dr. Ige noted. This dedicated funding is anticipated to significantly boost student enrollment across the state, as parents are often drawn to institutions with modern facilities and conducive learning environments.

When operational, OSSEC will function as a specialized agency under the State Ministry of Education. Its operational framework is designed to ensure its programs do not interfere with the activities of other educational bodies, guaranteeing a seamless transition and focused intervention strategy for the post-basic education level.

The move underscores Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to sustainable educational policies and leveraging national frameworks to accelerate development in the state’s education sector, a necessity for enhancing academic performance and producing competitive graduates.