The Old Students Association of Owo High School has appealed to the Ondo State Government to stop the continued encroachment on the school’s land by suspected land grabbers.
Leaders of the association raised the alarm during a visit to The PUNCH Place in Magboro, Ogun State, on May 20. They alleged that individuals were deliberately taking over parts of the 25-hectare school land, frustrating efforts to improve infrastructure and learning facilities.
National President Foluso Falaye said several complaints and petitions to the state government had produced little result, as the encroachers continued their activities without restraint.
In a letter dated December 18, 2025, addressed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa through the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Igbekele Ajibefun, the association outlined the school’s history and land ownership.
Owo High School was founded in January 1963 by the late Michael Adekunle Ajasin, former governor of old Ondo State. It became government-owned in 1974 after the takeover of private secondary schools.
The association, which has over 8,000 members across Nigeria and abroad, said it stepped in after noticing a decline in infrastructure and academic standards.
As part of its intervention, the group developed a master plan that includes renovating classrooms, building new structures, providing modern toilets, upgrading laboratories and libraries, introducing digital learning tools, and recruiting more teachers. However, the alumni said these plans are under threat due to illegal construction on the school’s land.
According to the association, residential buildings, shops, and places of worship have sprung up on portions of the land despite previous government interventions.
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Investigations by the Ministries of Education and Lands, alongside the Office of the Surveyor-General, reportedly confirmed that the structures were illegal.
The ministries ordered work to stop and marked some buildings for demolition after occupants failed to provide valid title documents.
The alumni received government approval in 2021 to construct a perimeter fence but said the project was repeatedly disrupted by land grabbers who threatened workers and demolished parts of the fence.
The group also alleged that the encroachers used police officers and hoodlums to harass school management and contractors.
The association argued that the ownership dispute had been resolved by the Supreme Court, which ruled in favour of the school.
It described the continued occupation of the land as a direct challenge to the rule of law and urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to order the removal of all illegal structures and protect the school’s property.
When contacted on Tuesday, Commissioner Ajibefun did not respond to calls or text messages.
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