The Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) has shut down six schools within the Ilorin metropolis for failing to comply with mandatory sanitation regulations.

The closures followed inspections by KWEPA's School Monitoring and Enforcement Department, which found that the schools lacked functional toilet facilities and failed to meet basic hygiene standards.

KWEPA noted that such negligence exposes pupils, staff, and surrounding communities to serious health risks. Officials stressed that proper sanitation is a minimum prerequisite for any school to operate safely.

Speaking during the enforcement operation, the Head of the School Department, Mrs Wulaimat Musa, reaffirmed KWEPA's zero-tolerance stance on practices that endanger public health. She emphasised that children are particularly vulnerable to infections arising from poor hygiene.

Mrs Musa warned that inadequate sanitation could trigger disease outbreaks and environmental pollution, adding that any school compromising children's health would face strict enforcement actions.

"Schools are expected to meet minimum hygiene standards before operating. Any institution that compromises the health of children by neglecting basic sanitation requirements will face strict enforcement measures," she said.

KWEPA stressed that under the State Environmental Protection Laws, all educational institutions must maintain clean, functional sanitation systems and proper waste management practices. The agency said the sealed schools will remain closed until violations are corrected and official clearance is obtained.

The agency further urged school owners and administrators to prioritise the health and safety of learners by investing in adequate sanitation infrastructure and strictly adhering to environmental regulations.