Amid protest by the Muslim community in Edo State over the decision of the state government to return mission schools to their founders, more of such schools have been listed for handover to the Catholic Church.
Newsmata.com.ng recalls that this policy decision was announced on Monday June 16, 2025, by Governor Monday Okpebholo following a meeting between him and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Gabriel G. Dunia, at the Government House, Benin City, Edo State capital.
The governor had stated then that a committee that would identify the specific schools to be handed over would be set up. He clarified that any of the affected schools currently undergoing renovation by the state government would remain under its supervision until their completion.
However, kicking against the decision, a Muslim group, Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) in Edo on Wednesday June 18, warned that returning schools to churches could deepen religious divisions among Edo people and damage the peaceful coexistence among different faiths in the state.
in a statement by its chairman, Alhaji Madu Mammadi, the AMP urged the governor to reconsider the decision in the public interest, arguing that “transferring ownership of public schools to churches could endanger about 40 per cent of the state’s Muslim population”, as well as intensify religious tensions in Edo, “something that no one may be able to fully control if the consequences spiral out of hand.”
But in pushing ahead with the policy, the government said it marked a significant step “towards potentially enhancing educational standards through faith-based initiatives across Edo State”.
Governor Monday Okpebholo said this policy shift, coming decades after the forceful takeover of Catholic schools by the civil government in the 1970s, aimed to address long-standing grievances.
On the expanded list are 36 primary and secondary schools belonging to the Catholic Church in Edo South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts. Already schools to be handed over in Edo North under the Catholic Diocese of Auchi had earlier been named.
These are Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi; St. Angela Grammar School, Uzairue; St. John Grammar School, Fugar; St. Peter Grammar School, Agenebode; St. James Grammar School, Afuze; St. Joseph College, Otuo; St. Mary Grammar School, Eme-Ora and St. Aloysius Gonzaga Grammar School, Ososo
The new list of schools formerly under the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City are: Catholic Modern School, Oghada (now Oghada Grammar School); St. Kizito College, Eguaholor (now Eguaholor Grammar School); Christ the King College, Urhonigbe; St. Thomas Secondary School, Benin City (now Ogbe Secondary School); St. Mary Catholic School, Odiguetue (now Ehi Primary School) and St. Maria Goretti Girls’ Grammar School, Benin City.
Others are: St. Theresa Catholic School, Okhuokhuo; St. Gregory Primary, Iguediaken (now Iguedaiken Primary School); St. Joseph Primary School, Benin City (now Uwa Primary School); Uvbi Primary School, Benin City; Fr. Lamely School, Benin City (now Adesuwa/Emotan Primary School); Igbogor Primary School, Igbogor; Holy Cross Primary School, Benin City (now Oguola Primary School); St. Paul Primary School, Benin City (now Ogbe Primary School); St. Gabriel Primary School, Oza (Odionza Primary School, Oza); St. Thomas Catholic School, Omolua-Igbanke (now Enogie Primary School); Roman Catholic Mission Primary School, Iyowa (now Ezuwara Primary School) and St. Edward Catholic School, Onuiyi-Igbanke (now Onuiyi Primary School)
Formerly under the Catholic Diocese of Uromi in Edo Central senatorial district are: St. John Bosco College, Ubiaja; Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Ubiaja; Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School, Idigun-Uromi; Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua; St. Dominic Secondary School, Iruekpen (now Iruekpen Mixed Secondary School); St. Benedict Boys’ High School, Igueben (now Eguare Secondary School); St. Benedict Primary School, Ubiaja (now Orhuen Primary School); St. Anthony Primary School, Uromi (now Okpujie Primary School); St. Francis Catholic Primary School, Ohordua (now Eguare Primary School) and St. Gregory Primary School, Ekpoma (now Dova Primary School).
Appreciating the governor’s gesture, Bishop Dunia emphasised that the return of the schools was crucial not only for intellectual development, but also for cultivating “ideal moral character, which constitute the bedrock of good society.”