By Andrew Haruna
The Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) School 2 in Ero, Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State, stands today as a haunting symbol of educational neglect—dilapidated, unsafe, and forgotten.
Despite Kogi State earmarking ₦76.9 billion for education across 2023 to 2025, a recent inspection by civic tech organization Monitng revealed the school is on the brink of collapse. Roofs leak, ceilings have fallen in, and classrooms are not only overcrowded but visibly dangerous.
Inside the school, children sit on broken furniture in dusty rooms, exposed to intense heat and rainfall, with virtually no learning materials or safety infrastructure.
Money Budgeted, But Where Is It Going?
A breakdown of the Kogi State education budget raises critical questions:
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₦22.5 billion allocated in 2023
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₦25.3 billion projected in 2024
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₦29.1 billion proposed for 2025
But on the ground at LGEA School 2, there’s no trace of these billions. The only visible reality is that of abandonment.
“The school is falling apart, and nothing reflects the billions allocated to education,” the Monitng report noted bluntly.
A Cry for Help From Within the School Walls
During the site visit, the headmistress welcomed the team and expressed deep frustration mixed with faint hope. She explained how both school authorities and community leaders had made repeated efforts—letters, phone calls, appeals—to state and local government officials, but none have yielded any support.
“We’ve been trying to get attention for years. Our pupils deserve better,” she said, gesturing at the damaged buildings.
The extent of the damage is shocking:
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Cracked and collapsing walls
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Missing window panes
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Collapsed ceilings
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No functioning staff rooms
A Plea to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo
In its report, Monitng made a direct appeal to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to make Ero the starting point for a new era in educational reform.
“This isn’t just about buildings; it’s about children with dreams, teachers with dedication, and a community still holding on to hope. Let LGEA School 2, Ero, be the beginning of change.”
The organization also called for a comprehensive audit of how Kogi’s education funds have been disbursed and used, especially in rural schools.
Wider Outrage, Growing Demand for Reform
The Monitng findings have sparked wider outrage across social media and among education advocates, many of whom are now calling on the Ododo-led administration to investigate possible mismanagement of funds under the previous administration.
As the calls for intervention grow louder, the situation at LGEA School 2 reflects a much deeper issue—a systemic failure to prioritize basic education for Kogi’s rural children.
