The Edo State Government has shut down four schools after a 12-year-old student, Nathan Paul Spencer, died while on his way to sit for the Middle Basic Assessment Examination on Saturday the 5th July 2025.
The tragedy occurred during a heavy downpour that caused severe flooding in the area. An investigation revealed that the student’s school, Future Leaders Academy, had registered him to write the exam at a different venue, Liberty Secondary School, without informing his parents.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, led a condolence visit to the family, expressing the government’s displeasure over the incident. He stated that His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo was deeply touched by Nathan’s story and asked the team to immediately send his deepest condolence to the family. He also stated that the Government would ensure that those responsible for the student’s death are held accountable, stating that the principal is in police detention. He went on to note that the Ministry of Education has withdrawn the licenses of the 2 Schools involved and will take further action to effect consequence Management.
He also added that another 2 schools, Faith Immaculate Schools & Vision Land School will also be shut down as they connived to collect money from over 200 students without getting the required approval in a bid to divert payment into the state IGR account and use the later as a centre for the exam. The children were left stranded under the rain, not until the Ministry of Education intervened.
Furthermore, it was revealed that the Principal of Future Leaders Academy had taken the registration fee from Nathan’s parents in Ovia Local Government and had negligently taken the child to Liberty Secondary School in Egor Local Government for the exam. Tragically, Nathan fell into a gutter and drowned during the heavy rain when he was taking him from local Government to another.
The Chairman of Egor Local Government Area, Hon. Kelvin Ighodaro, expressed the local government’s solidarity with the bereaved family. He underscored the importance of parental vigilance during the rainy season and noted that the council had already initiated efforts to clear blocked drainages and address flood-related challenges in the community.
The Executive Secretary of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency, Hon. Jerry Idahosa, who reiterated the agency’s commitment to strengthening flood control measures across vulnerable areas. He noted that proactive strategies are being prioritized to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
The father of the deceased, Mr. Paul Spencer, expressed his appreciation to the state government, the Commissioner for Education, and other officials who visited and offered support during their time of grief.
Reflecting on the incident, Mr. Spencer said he was unaware that his son’s school had registered him to write the examination at a location far from home. He expressed shock and sorrow that Nathan had to go such a long distance, a journey he sadly did not complete.
Dr Paddy also used this medium to beckon on parents to monitor their kids closely and not leave them in the hands of hustlers in the disguise of being school owners.