Every morning, twelve-year-old MaryAnn sits on the front steps of her guardian’s house in Somolu, watching other children in neat uniforms hurry to school. She should be among them, starting her first term in JSS1 at a state-owned secondary school — a chapter she has eagerly awaited. But while her classmates in private schools are deep into lessons, MaryAnn has spent over six weeks at home, unable to resume because she does not yet have a National Identification Number (NIN).
Her story mirrors that of many children across Lagos State whose education has been stalled by bureaucratic bottlenecks. Seven weeks after schools resumed for the new academic session, hundreds of new students remain at home, not because of unpaid fees or illness, but due to difficulties in meeting the government’s admission requirements.
Visits to public schools across twelve Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) — including Yaba, Bariga, Somolu, Ifako, Isolo, Ejigbo, Alimosho, Idimu, Apapa and Onigbongbo — revealed that pupils must present a birth certificate, NIN, LASSRA card, tax clearance evidence, and other items before they can be registered. Officials from the Ministry of Education say the documentation drive is part of an effort to improve data management, curb age-cheating, and streamline the admission process.
While many parents have been able to obtain LASSRA IDs easily, the major stumbling block remains the NIN, which is processed through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). At NIMC centres in Somolu, Apapa, and Oshodi, long queues of parents and children seeking to register have become a daily sight. One staff member at the Somolu LGA complex said, “Two weeks ago, it was what oyibo call killing. The children filled the corridors and some stayed till 6 p.m. before leaving.”
However, teachers across schools told BusinessDay that the process could have been much easier had parents received accurate information. Many were unaware that a parent or guardian’s NIN could be used in place of the child’s, or that affidavits could serve as temporary proof of birth. In one school visited, a security officer stopped MaryAnn and her guardian at the gate, insisting on the child’s personal NIN slip — a requirement the teacher in charge later said was unnecessary. The incident highlights a communication gap that has left many children stranded at home.
The effect is evident in enrollment figures. In one junior secondary school, out of 186 students allocated by the Ministry of Education, only 50 — about 27 percent — had completed registration as of October 22. At a senior secondary school, just 77 of 115 students had resumed. “The policy is commendable in intent,” said teacher Gift Osikoya, “but its implementation has created barriers for many parents, especially those from low-income backgrounds who can’t secure all these documents quickly.”
Beyond the documentation delays, some stakeholders are worried the state may be using the process as a backdoor to reintroduce school fees. A teacher disclosed that parents are already being asked to pay ₦10,100 for tax clearance and ₦6,800 for registration, though the payments are said to be optional. Friday Erhabor, Director of Media and Strategy at Marklenez Limited, warned that the state’s approach to revenue generation could harm access to education. “Are they saying children whose parents are out of work can’t go to school? The government should find another way to expand the tax net without disrupting children’s education,” he said.
Education consultant Jessica Osuere, CEO of RubiesHub Educational Services, shared similar concerns. “If a child can’t go to school just because their parents don’t have papers, we’re only increasing the number of children roaming the streets. Education is a right, not a privilege. Lagos needs to be transparent about its intentions,” she said.
Meanwhile, private schools across the state are forging ahead. According to educationist Anthony Agabue, most private schools resumed on September 15, with new JSS1 students already preparing for mid-term tests. “Every week lost by public school students widens the learning gap,” he warned.
Experts say the government can still achieve its goal of accountability without locking children out of school. Osikoya advised a more flexible, phased approach that allows students to resume while parents process their documents, along with setting up enlightenment and support desks to assist families. Osuere agreed, saying, “The government can get the data it needs without keeping children at home. Let them start school first; the paperwork can follow.”
For now, however, children like MaryAnn continue to wait — watching others head to class while their own dreams of learning remain trapped in bureaucratic red tape.