Visionary, determined, transformative, these are the words that best describe Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, the driving force behind the Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA). At a time when education in Nigeria continues to grapple with uneven standards and persistent gaps, she has refused to accept mediocrity as inevitable. Her leadership demonstrates that with focus, discipline, and resolve, public education systems can be strengthened, measured, and reimagined.
At the core of Seriki-Ayeni’s philosophy is a clear conviction: every child deserves access to high-quality education, and schools must be accountable for delivering it. Under her stewardship, OEQA has evolved beyond routine inspections into a robust quality assurance institution. Schools are now assessed comprehensively, with close attention paid to teaching standards, student outcomes, leadership capacity, safety, and learning environments. This approach prioritises evidence over rhetoric and outcomes over intent.
One of the most defining moments of her tenure came with OEQA’s attainment of dual ISO certifications, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2018. The achievement was not merely symbolic. It positioned Lagos as the first government education regulatory agency in Africa to meet these international benchmarks. More importantly, it reflected a deeper institutional shift, from basic compliance to excellence, and from ambition to measurable, accountable performance.
Seriki-Ayeni’s influence, however, extends well beyond certifications and regulatory frameworks. Through initiatives such as the Lagos Learns Together Learning Platform, her administration has expanded access to quality learning resources for both students and teachers. By prioritising consistent stakeholder engagement, she has fostered collaboration among educators, parents, and policymakers, ensuring reforms remain practical, inclusive, and firmly rooted in classroom realities.
Her work has not gone unnoticed. She has been recognised by the Lagos State Government as a transformational leader in public service, a reflection of the institutional credibility her leadership has helped to build. Yet recognition remains secondary to impact. The true measure of her leadership lies in stronger systems, more confident educators, and learning environments increasingly equipped to meet the demands of a changing world.
The broader significance of Abiola Seriki-Ayeni’s work lies not only in what has been achieved, but in what it proves. When education is governed with clarity, courage, and consistency, meaningful and lasting change becomes possible. It demonstrates that reform, when anchored in accountability and purpose, can move beyond aspiration and deliver tangible results.
If other states choose to learn from this example, Nigeria could enter a new era in which children are not merely encouraged to dream big, but are supported by schools and systems capable of turning those dreams into reality. That, ultimately, is the true measure of leadership, creating impact that endures and shapes the future.
