By Ogochukwu Isioma
The number of schools being returned to missionary organizations in Edo State, formerly owned by them, has been expanded.
The expanded Catholic secondary and primary schools are in Edo South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts. Already schools to be handed over in Edo North have been named.
This expansion follows a landmark decision announced after the Governor’s meeting with Bishop Gabriel G. Dunia of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi on Monday, June 16, 2025.
Beyond the previously identified institutions, the following schools, all formerly under the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, are now also slated for return to missionary control: 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)
Additionally, institutions from the Catholic Diocese of Uromi are also included in this policy shift: 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).
Governor Okpebholo has assured his commitment to forming a committee to precisely identify all schools for handover.
He also clarified that any affected schools currently undergoing renovation by the State Government will remain under its supervision until completion.
This policy shift, decades after the forceful takeover of Catholic schools by the civil government in the 1970s, aims to address long-standing grievances.
Bishop Dunia emphasized the Catholic mission’s view of these educational institutions as crucial not only for intellectual development but also for cultivating “ideal moral character, which constitute the bedrock of good society.”
Other prominent institutions across the state expected to be affected by this policy, as earlier announced, include several schools from the Catholic Diocese of Auchi: 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
This comprehensive decision marks a significant step towards potentially enhancing educational standards through faith-based initiatives across Edo State.
