Ikere Youths Protest: Assembly Concludes Hearing as Stakeholders Back Return of Schools to Ekiti Government

The agitation for the return of Annunciation School, St. Louis School and African Church Comprehensive High School, Ikere-Ekiti, to the Ekiti State Government has gained renewed momentum following a peaceful protest organised by the Supreme Council of Ikere Youths (SCIY) and the conclusion of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee on Public Petition’s final hearing on the matter concerning African Church Comprehensive High School.

The peaceful protest, according to the leadership of the Supreme Council of Ikere Youths, demonstrated the determination of the people of Ikere-Ekiti to place the collective interest of the community above personal and political considerations. The protest was organised to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the demand for government intervention in the administration of the three schools, which the youths believe are important to the educational development and future of the community.

Despite alleged attempts by certain individuals to discourage or frustrate the protest, the youths remained determined to express their concerns through peaceful means. In a statement issued after the exercise, the President of SCIY, Asoju Oba Akin Afuye, commended the participants for their courage, unity and commitment to the future of Ikere-Ekiti, describing the successful protest as evidence that the collective voice of the people cannot be ignored.

Afuye maintained that the protest was not organised to antagonise any individual, institution or government authority but to advocate improved educational opportunities for the people of Ikere-Ekiti. He stressed that the demand was driven by the broader interests of the community and the desire to ensure that the schools receive the attention and administrative support necessary for their continued development.

One of the significant highlights of the protest was the visit by the youths to the palace of the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, where the delegation was received by the traditional institution. The engagement provided an opportunity for the youths to present their concerns and seek the support of the revered monarch in addressing issues affecting the community’s educational development.

The delegation also had the opportunity to address the press at the Ekiti State House of Assembly, where it further drew attention to the agitation for the return of the schools to government administration. The opportunity to engage with the legislature was described by the youth leadership as an important step towards ensuring that the concerns of Ikere-Ekiti residents receive appropriate consideration at the state level.

The development coincides with the conclusion of the final hearing by the Ekiti State House of Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee on Public Petition on the proposed return of African Church Comprehensive High School, Ikere-Ekiti, to the state government. The hearing, held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, brought together representatives of the African Church Comprehensive High School Old Students Association (ACCOSA), Annunciation Old Students and St. Louis Old Students, alongside leaders of the Catholic and African Church in Ekiti State, representatives of the Ministry of Education and members of the Ogoga-in-Council.
During the hearing, the prevailing opinion among participating stakeholders favoured the return of African Church Comprehensive High School to the Ekiti State Government. Discussions centred on the school’s future, effective administration and the need to protect the educational interests of students and the wider community.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, the Ad-Hoc Committee assured stakeholders that its recommendations would be forwarded to the Ekiti State House of Assembly within seven days for the necessary legislative consideration and action. The assurance marks a significant stage in the process, as stakeholders await the committee’s formal recommendations and the subsequent decisions of the legislature.

The Ekiti State Ministry of Education also expressed its readiness to work towards implementing the resolution reached by stakeholders, subject to the appropriate procedures and government directives. Although the hearing represents progress in the ongoing agitation, the final decision on the proposed return of the school remains subject to the recommendations submitted and the actions of the relevant authorities.
Reacting to the developments, Afuye reiterated that the peaceful protest and the ongoing legislative process reflected the determination of Ikere youths to pursue the community’s interests through dialogue, peaceful mobilisation and constructive engagement with traditional and government institutions. He urged individuals who had opposed the protest to reconsider their position and support initiatives aimed at advancing the welfare of the community.

He further emphasised that peaceful protest remained a legitimate means of expressing concerns and drawing attention to matters affecting the public. According to him, genuine commitment to the progress of Ikere-Ekiti should encourage cooperation among residents rather than efforts to undermine initiatives intended to address common challenges.

The SCIY president also called on the Ekiti State Government to give serious consideration to the demand for the return of Annunciation School, St. Louis School and African Church Comprehensive High School to government administration. He maintained that the future of education in Ikere-Ekiti should be treated as a collective responsibility that transcends individual interests, political affiliations and other differences.

The Supreme Council of Ikere Youths expressed appreciation to the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti for receiving the delegation and to the Ekiti State House of Assembly for providing an opportunity for the youths to express their concerns during the public hearing process. Afuye also commended the leadership of SCIY for providing a platform through which young people could participate in community development and advocate solutions to issues affecting their future.

As stakeholders await the next steps from the Ekiti State House of Assembly, the youth leadership has reiterated that the conclusion of the protest does not mark the end of the agitation. Rather, it represents another phase in the sustained effort to secure what the council considers a better educational future for the people of Ikere-Ekiti.
The central demand remains the return of the three schools to the Ekiti State Government, with supporters arguing that the move deserves careful consideration in the interest of educational development, effective administration and the welfare of future generations.

The outcome will depend on the decisions of the appropriate authorities and the procedures governing any proposed change in the schools’ administration.
The Supreme Council of Ikere Youths has reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful advocacy, unity and community development, insisting that the interests of Ikere-Ekiti must remain the priority in all discussions concerning the town’s future.

In his closing remarks, Afuye called on residents to place the community’s collective interests above personal considerations, stressing that the development of Ikere-Ekiti requires the participation and cooperation of all its people.

“Ikere First! Education for Our Children! Community Development Above Personal Interests!” remains the council’s message as the community awaits further action from the state government and the legislature.