Edo Government Revokes Licenses of 4 Schools, Detains Headteacher After 12‑Year‑Old Pupil Drowns During Flood

The Edo State Government has revoked the licenses of four private schools and arrested a headteacher after 12-year-old Nathan Paul Spencer drowned in floodwaters on his way to an exam he was registered for without his parents’ consent, prompting a wider crackdown on unauthorized school practices.

Edo State officials have revoked the operating licenses of two private schools and shut down two others following the tragic death of 12‑year‑old Nathan Paul Spencer. The boy drowned while en route to sit the First School Leaving Certificate (Middle Basic Assessment) exam during Saturday’s heavy rains  .

According to Education Commissioner Paddy Iyamu, Nathan had been registered for the exam by his school—but at a different location—without his parents’ knowledge .The headteacher of one of the institutions has been arrested for this irresponsible action  .

The incident occurred on July 5, 2025, as Nathan walked from Ovia Local Government Area to his assigned centre in Egor, along the Uselu–Ugbowo road. Floodwaters swept him into a gutter where he tragically drowned .

During a condolence visit to the boy’s family, Commissioner Iyamu pledged the government would “ensure those responsible…are held accountable” and conveyed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s sympathies .

In addition to shutting down the two schools tied directly to Nathan’s death, the state also closed two more private schools for unlawfully collecting fees from over 200 students without government approval; these schools left children out in the rain until the ministry intervened  .

Commissioner Iyamu furthermore warned parents to be vigilant and avoid entrusting their children to “hustlers in the disguise of school owners”  .

Key Actions Taken:

• Licenses revoked: Two private schools had their operations suspended.
• Criminal action: Headteacher arrested regarding Nathan’s misplacement and the resulting tragedy.
• Additional closures: Two more schools shut down for collecting unauthorized fees from 200+ pupils.
• State investigation: Authorities investigating and holding accountable those involved.
• Public advisory: Parents urged to more closely supervise their children’s exam registrations and school enrolments.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, LEADERSHIP