The Benue State Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) sealed Orenda and Opal Schools in Makurdi during an enforcement exercise carried out on Thursday morning, October 8, 2026.
​The action followed allegations that the institution subjected students to victimisation and infringed upon state directives prohibiting schools from forcing parents to purchase new textbooks annually instead of allowing the reuse of existing learning materials.
​The task force team, led by officials from the Board’s enforcement division, arrived at the school premises located along High Level/Wadata axis in Makurdi to lock down administrative blocks and classrooms.
​Speaking during the enforcement exercise at the site, the Executive Secretary of BEQAEB, Dr. Terna Francis, emphasized that the state government under Governor Hyacinth Alia maintains zero tolerance for institutions exploiting parents or punishing students over unapproved charges.
​”We received multiple documented complaints from parents regarding the victimisation of learners whose families opted to reuse valid textbooks, as well as non-compliance with statutory policy guidelines,” Dr. Francis stated. “Education must remain accessible and fair. Any private institution that violates these guidelines or penalizes innocent children to enforce illegal book sales will face immediate regulatory sanctions.”
​Also present at the venue was the Board’s Information Officer, Mr. Aondover Msugh, who confirmed that the seal-off would remain in effect until the management of Orenda and Opal Schools fully complies with the state’s educational guidelines, addresses all complaints, and pays the requisite administrative penalties.
​School authorities declined immediate public comment as students were safely dismissed to their parents and guardians under supervision. BEQAEB reiterated its commitment to monitoring private and public learning institutions across the state’s 23 local government areas to enforce quality standards and protect student rights.
