The Lagos State Ministry of Education announced that it is investigating a complaint from a parent, Mr. Barinada, who claims his 10‑year‑old daughter, Marvellous Barinada, was expelled from Odomola Junior Secondary School in Epe for using a poster of a recent election candidate to wrap her school notebooks. The ministry’s statement, signed by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, said the principal has been recalled and will be required to explain what happened.
The father’s viral Facebook post included a screenshot of an exit slip and read: “This is to inform you all that my daughter, Marvelous Barinada, was expelled from Odomola Secondary School today, March 14, 2023, by the school principal, just because my daughter used Peter Obi’s poster paper to wrap her school notebooks. She doesn’t know anything about politics, but she was sent away from school without informing the parent because they said we supported Peter Obi and the Labour Party. Please, is this act by the school principal good? See what the school principal wrote in that letter. And after, we will say we are one Nigeria.”
The Lagos State Government’s response emphasized that neither the government nor the Ministry of Education instructs any school official to act in such a manner. Commissioner Adefisayo assured the public that the matter would be handled “within the scope of our strict regulations,” stating that the reason for sending the student home is unacceptable if the allegations are true. She also referenced a separate incident involving a principal at Odonguyan who was caught on camera promoting a political choice to students; that principal faced appropriate disciplinary action.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to a public school system free of politics and political insinuations. A thorough investigation will be conducted, and anyone found culpable will face disciplinary measures as prescribed by civil service rules.
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