The schools handed over include:
St. Angela’s Girls Grammar School, Uzairue
St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School, Benin City
Annunciation Catholic College (ACC), Irrua
Obaseki Primary School (formerly St. Patrick’s Primary School), Airport Road, Benin City
This decision underscores the government’s recognition of the Catholic Mission’s longstanding role in advancing education, instilling moral discipline, and promoting community development across Edo State.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, who led the handover, described the move as a critical step towards revitalising education through faith-based collaboration. According to him, “This initiative will foster academic excellence and moral values by reuniting
schools with their missionary roots.”The handover follows the governor’s June 2025 announcement, in which he unveiled plans to return schools originally established by religious missions. A government committee was subsequently inaugurated to identify the schools most eligible for transfer.
Additional schools under consideration for future handovers include:
Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi
St. John Grammar School, Fugar
St. Peter’s Grammar School, Agenebode
St. James’s Grammar School, Afuze
St. Joseph College, Otuo
St. Mary Grammar School, Eme-Ora
St. Aloysius Gonzaga Grammar School, Ososo
While the policy has sparked mixed reactions—particularly from some non-Christian stakeholders—Governor Okpebholo insists the decision is both inclusive and restorative. He stressed that the initiative seeks to address historical injustices and raise educational standards across Edo State.
