Owerri Archbishop, Lucius Ugorji Condemns Imo Education Commissioner’s Policies Against Mission Schools
By Onyekachi Eze
The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has condemned what he described as the “despotic and overreaching directives” of the Imo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. B.T.O Ikegwuoha.
Archbishop Ugorji, in a press statement dated September 4, 2026, accused the State’s Ministry of Education of adopting policies that undermine collaboration, open dialogue and the professional independence of educators.
He particularly expressed concern over alleged directives affecting mission and private schools, including the observance of Islamic holidays by Christian schools, fixing of school resumption and closing dates, threats of punitive measures against teachers who raise concerns, and the selection and pricing of textbooks.
The Archbishop called on the Commissioner for Education to immediately stop what he described as unilateral directives and engage education stakeholders in meaningful dialogue.
According to him, the Commissioner should be restrained from actions capable of misrepresenting the position of the Uzodimma administration and unnecessarily escalating tensions between government and religious stakeholders.
He also appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma to call the Commissioner to order, saying the alleged actions could create the impression that the State government and the Church were in conflict.
Archbishop Ugorji further urged elected representatives to investigate the alleged abuses of power and restore accountability to the Ministry of Education.
He concluded by expressing solidarity with teachers, schools and families resisting what he termed “undemocratic overreaches.”
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