By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the establishment of the Ondo State Senior Secondary School Education Board (OSSEC) aimed at enhancing infrastructure development and effective management across secondary schools in the state.
The approval aligns with a federal government directive under the gazetted NSSEC Act, which mandates state governments to contribute a five per cent counterpart fund to support infrastructural projects in secondary schools across Nigeria’s 36 states.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, announced the development in Akure, the state capital. He explained that the newly created board would work collaboratively with the National Senior Secondary School Education Commission (NSSEC) to address existing infrastructure gaps in senior secondary schools.
The commissioner said, “With this approval, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has fully aligned with the federal government’s resolve to upgrade infrastructure in our secondary schools.”
Prof. Ajibefun further commended the governor for his steadfast commitment to sustainable education initiatives in the state.
Providing more insight into the benefits and operational scope of OSSEC, the Administrative Secretary of the ministry and member of the establishment committee, Dr. Akindele Ige, explained that the board’s creation would ensure better funding mechanisms for school administration and critical infrastructure improvements, ultimately encouraging higher student enrollment across Ondo State.
He clarified that the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC) would maintain oversight of infrastructure and facilities from primary level through Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3), while OSSEC would specifically oversee the management of Senior Secondary Schools (SSS1–SSS3).
Once inaugurated, OSSEC will function as a specialized agency under the State Ministry of Education, ensuring that its programs and initiatives operate in harmony with other educational bodies within the state.