The management of a private school in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State has demanded the total removal and relocation of a telecommunications mast erected within its premises, saying the lives of 1,345 pupils and staff are in danger.
The development is coming on the heels of findings by One House Development Initiative (OHI), a public interest Non-Governmental Organisation, which revealed that the mast owned by Pan African Towers Limited violates the National Environmental (Standards for Telecommunications and Broadcast Facilities) Regulations, 2011, which stipulates a 10-metre setback from the perimeter fence of schools and hospitals.
OHI had petitioned the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), which in a letter dated January 28, 2026, directed the firm to decommission the mast for lacking an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Certificate.
Ten months after, the order has not been complied with.
Speaking with HERALDSUN, the School Coordinator, Mr. Sunday Oyinloye, corroborated OHI’s findings and demanded total removal.
“We want total removal and relocation of the mast because the required parameter needed for siting such a mast, which says 10 metres setback from perimeter fencing and 15 metres setback from water source for school environment as indicated in the Federal Government 2011 gazette, could not be implemented on the said plot of land,” Mr. Oyinloye said.
He said the school community is living in fear: “We are afraid of the present and future health challenges of over 800 pupils, 450 students with over 95 teaching and non-teaching staff involved in the school operation.”
He disclosed that the mast was erected during the school holiday without permission.
“This was discovered sometime in October 2025, in which the bulk of the construction was on when the school was on holiday. No permission was taken from the school,” he said.
He said relevant authorities have been notified since 2025.
“NESREA, Osun State Capital Territory, Osun State Town Planning Authority, and Permanent Secretary through Egbedore Local Inspector of Education have already been notified since 2025. Only NESREA responded with instructions to Pan African Towers to decommission the mast,” he said.
He lamented that the state and local government are yet to act and that the Egbedore Local Inspector of Education has not given any assurance. He said the mast is about 3 metres away from the perimeter fence.
OHI had argued that acquiring adjoining land to meet the setback as suggested by NESREA is impracticable as the facility is enclosed by school structures and a residential building on three sides and a government road on the fourth, making outright removal the only viable option.
Mr. Oyinloye said the school rejected an offer for amicable settlement from the firm.
“Pan African representatives came to inform us that they have spent a lot on the erection of the mast, soliciting for amicable settlement for the mast not to be removed, which was completely turned down by the entire stakeholders because the effects were inimical to the children who are future leaders,” he said.
He said parents are threatening to withdraw their wards.
“The parents are not happy with the situation, held meeting with the Pan African reps and demanded for the removal and relocation of the mast. The parents threatened to withdraw their wards from the school if the mast is not removed because of its close proximity to the school,” he said.
On safety during storms, he said: “In case of any strong or heavy winds or rainstorms, there are no possible solutions at sight for the safety of the children.”
The Coordinator threatened legal action if the mast is not removed before the next academic session.
“If not removed before the next academic session, we will implore the legal means of removal,” Mr. Oyinloye warned.
Mr. Oyinloye appealed to the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to urgently intervene and save the lives of pupils and staff of the school.
“We want Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene on this matter by saving the lives of pupils and staff of the school. The lives of our children are more important than any business interest,” he said.
He said the school has documentary evidence including letters written to NESREA and its response dated January 28, 2026, letters to the Permanent Secretary through the L.I.E. Egbedore, Town Planning Authority and Osun State Capital Development Authority.
Efforts to reach Pan African Towers Limited proved abortive as messages sent to the number provided were not responded to as at the time of filing this report.
