Ogun Monarch Declares War on Illiteracy, Threatens Sanctions for Parents of Out-of-School Children

In a bold and passionate stand against the growing menace of illiteracy in Nigeria, an Ogun State monarch has issued a stern warning to parents who allow their children to roam the streets instead of attending school, declaring that such negligence will soon attract strict traditional sanctions. The royal pronouncement, made during a community event, has sparked widespread debate across the state and beyond, as Nigerians weigh in on the monarch’s resolve to protect the future of the next generation through compulsory education.

The traditional ruler, visibly concerned about the rising number of out-of-school children in his domain, expressed disappointment that despite the availability of public schools, many parents still fail to enroll their wards. According to him, the trend poses a grave danger not only to the children themselves but also to the society that must deal with the long-term consequences of ignorance, unemployment, and crime. The monarch’s tone was unapologetically firm, declaring that education is not optional and that every parent within his territory must take the responsibility seriously.

“Any parent found guilty of keeping their child at home while others are in school will face traditional sanctions,” he warned, as the crowd listened in silence. “We cannot continue to pretend that all is well when our streets are filled with children hawking during school hours. It is an embarrassment to our heritage and an insult to our collective progress.”

His declaration came during a town hall meeting held to discuss youth development and educational reform in the community. The session, which had local chiefs, teachers, community leaders, and representatives of the Ogun State Ministry of Education in attendance, was meant to find solutions to the increasing number of young children who are out of school in parts of the state. Statistics presented at the meeting revealed that despite several government interventions, a worrying percentage of children in rural communities still lack access to formal education — a problem that continues to undermine the region’s human capital potential.

Observers say the monarch’s outburst reflects a growing frustration among community leaders who feel that the state government’s efforts are not being fully supported by the people they are meant to serve. Many traditional rulers have been vocal about the role of parents in perpetuating the problem, arguing that even when free education programs are introduced, some families prefer to send their children to sell goods, fetch water, or work on farms rather than attend classes. For this monarch, such practices are unacceptable, and he insists that the time has come to take cultural measures to enforce compliance.

Residents who attended the meeting described the king’s speech as powerful, emotional, and long overdue. One parent said the monarch’s stance could mark a turning point for education in the community if properly implemented. “Some people have taken advantage of poverty as an excuse not to send their children to school,” she said. “But the truth is that many of these same parents can afford basic schooling; they just lack awareness of how important education is. If traditional sanctions are introduced, people will sit up.”

The monarch’s message also resonated with teachers, many of whom have been overwhelmed by the low turnout of pupils and poor parental cooperation. Some educators at the meeting lamented how many children drop out after a few months of enrollment, often because their parents pull them out to assist in petty trading or household chores. One headmaster described the situation as “heartbreaking,” noting that the state’s free education policy will continue to be meaningless if parents themselves are not ready to play their part.

While the monarch did not specify the exact nature of the proposed sanctions, insiders hinted that they could include public shaming, community service, or denial of certain traditional privileges within the kingdom. The approach, though unconventional, mirrors similar initiatives in other parts of the country where community-based discipline has been used to enforce social change. Supporters of the move believe that involving traditional institutions in the enforcement of education policies could strengthen local accountability, especially in rural areas where government oversight is often limited.

However, not everyone is in support of the king’s tough approach. Critics have described the idea of traditional sanctions as extreme, arguing that the root causes of poor school attendance must be addressed first. According to them, poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of qualified teachers remain major barriers to education in many parts of Ogun State. A civil society activist from Abeokuta noted that while the monarch’s passion is commendable, punishing poor parents may not yield the desired results. “You can’t sanction a mother who genuinely cannot afford school uniforms or transport fare for her children,” she said. “We need to fix the system, not just blame the victims.”

In response to these criticisms, the palace clarified that the monarch’s intention was not to punish the poor but to awaken a sense of responsibility among parents. A spokesperson for the traditional council explained that the sanctions would be applied with compassion and fairness, targeting those who deliberately neglect their children’s education despite having the means to do otherwise. The council also announced plans to collaborate with local NGOs and educational authorities to set up scholarship programs and community awareness campaigns aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children.

Government officials have welcomed the monarch’s intervention, describing it as a timely and necessary wake-up call. A representative from the Ogun State Ministry of Education noted that the state cannot achieve its development goals without the active involvement of traditional leaders who command respect and influence in their communities. “When our monarchs speak, the people listen,” he said. “The government is already working on expanding access to education, but enforcement at the community level remains key. We need everyone — traditional institutions, parents, teachers, and local authorities — to work together.”

The monarch’s stance comes at a time when Nigeria is facing one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the world, with UNICEF estimating that more than 10 million children are not enrolled in any form of formal education. Ogun State, despite being one of the more developed states in the southwest, has not been immune to this challenge, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities where poverty, cultural beliefs, and lack of awareness continue to hinder school enrollment.

As news of the royal declaration spreads across social media, it has sparked renewed conversations about the role of traditional leadership in tackling national issues. Many Nigerians have praised the monarch for taking a proactive stand, saying that the future of the country depends on how seriously communities treat education. Others believe it should inspire similar actions across other states where traditional rulers still command significant moral authority.

Whether through persuasion, policy, or punishment, one thing is clear — the fight against illiteracy has taken a new turn in Ogun State. With the monarch’s firm commitment to ensuring that every child receives basic education, the community appears to be entering a new era of accountability and collective responsibility. As one resident aptly put it after the meeting, “When a king fights for the minds of his people, he fights for their future.”

If the monarch’s words are followed by action, Ogun State may soon become a shining example of how traditional authority can be harnessed to drive social progres

s — one classroom at a time.