The Nasarawa State Government has banned football matches and other games within school premises following repeated cases of vandalism and damage to educational facilities.
In an information passed by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had formally ended the practice of allowing football matches in areas within school premises.
The state held that the decision was taken to safeguard public property and prevent further destruction of infrastructure in schools across the state as unrestricted sporting activities within school compounds had contributed to the deterioration of buildings and other facilities meant for learning.
The new policy was announced during a bi-monthly press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) State Council Secretariat in Lafia on Monday, where Ahemba said that the policy became necessary after authorities observed that football activities frequently resulted in damage to school infrastructure.
He stated that people go into school premises to play football, and in the process, school facilities such as roofing structures and other infrastructure are damaged, stressing that the Government has therefore decided to stop the practice.
However, the executive arm clarified that the directive does not prevent students from engaging in sports on designated playing fields provided by their schools.
“The football pitches provided within schools remain available for pupils to play their games.
“What is prohibited is the use of other parts of school premises for football activities, which has become common in many places,” it said.
Ahemba further stated that individuals and groups who are not part of the school community would no longer be allowed to use school compounds for football matches.
“Those coming from outside schools to play football are advised to use public stadiums instead,” he added.
To support the policy and provide alternative venues for sporting activities, the state government recently approved the construction of five mini-stadiums in different parts of Nasarawa State.
The government expressed confidence that the new facilities would help meet the recreational needs of residents while reducing pressure on school infrastructure.
Ahemba also directed school administrators and heads of institutions to ensure full compliance with the directive, stressing that protecting public assets remained a priority for the government.