Secretary-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council, Asiwaju Kamal'deen Akintunde has cautioned Governor Dapo Abiodun's administration against proposed plan to return the missionary schools to their respective original owners
Governor Abiodun had earlier on April 10,2026 , announced the plan while receiving the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Michael Francis Crotty, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, alongside the Catholic Bishop of Ijebu-Ode, Francis Obafemi Adesina, the Catholic Bishop of Abeokuta, Peter Odetoyinbo, and other church officials.
Abiodun acknowledged the longstanding contributions of religious bodies to the education and health sectors, stressing that government alone cannot drive development without the active involvement of private and faith-based institutions.
But the Secretary-General of the State Muslim Council in his acceptance speech after being honoured with the 2026 Bola Ajibola Community Service Award during the Crescent University's 20th Founder's Day held over the weekend in Abeokuta, expressed concern over such move , warning it can lead to a spike in the rate of out-of-school population in the state
He described Education is a public right, not a sectarian privilege, stressing that any attempt to commodify" basic education must be resisted
"To surrender public schools to missionary interests is to risk a future of social exclusion and a spike in our out-of-school population. As citizens, our 'must-role' is to protect the Social Contract of Education— ensuring it remains a public good available to every child, regardless of faith or parentage".
Asiwaju Kamal'deen Akintunde was honoured with Bola Ajibola Community Service Award for his commitment to promotion of youth development and inter-faith harmony in the country along side two other awardees, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Adeleye Oyebade (retired) recognized for his contribution to promotion of security reform and community policing while Aare Bakinson represented by wife received award for his services to societal development and education
The event attracted dignatries including Nigeria's former president and Balogun of Owu-Kingdom Olusegun Obasanjo, Alake of Egbaland Oba Dr Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Olowu of Owu-Kingdom Oba Prof Saka Adelola Matemilola represented by one of the Chiefs Sikirulai Ogundele, PhD, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Crescent University, Prince Mohammed Maruf Adesegun Ajibola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ogun State Chief Judge Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, Osi of Egbaland Bode Mustapha, Chief Doja Adewolu amongst others
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