NANS issues 7-day ultimatum to Wike over Abuja public school closure, demanding immediate reopening or face mass action disrupting FCT administration

Public primary schools across Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, have been shut for more than two months, prompting the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to issue a 7-day ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

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The association has demanded the immediate reopening of these schools, warning of mass protests if their call is ignored.

The closure, attributed to unresolved disputes between the FCT Administration and the Local Government Education Authorities, has disrupted access to basic education for thousands of children from low-income backgrounds.

While private schools continue to operate without interruption, pupils in government schools have been denied the fundamental right to education.

Comrade Olushola Oladoja, National President of NANS, described the situation as unjust and unacceptable. He accused the government of neglecting its duty and turning a blind eye to the needs of the most vulnerable children in society.

“It is disheartening that for over two months, innocent children have been locked out of classrooms in the capital city of Nigeria. This injustice speaks volumes of the government’s insensitivity to the plight of the common man,” he said in a statement.

NANS revealed that it had earlier sent multiple letters to Minister Wike, calling for urgent dialogue and practical solutions. Despite these efforts, the group says none of the correspondences have been acknowledged, nor has a single meeting been granted.

The student body stated that its advocacy has so far relied on peaceful engagement. However, it warned that the continued silence from the FCT Minister has left it with no choice but to escalate its actions.

NANS now plans to mobilise thousands of students and education rights activists nationwide for a large-scale demonstration that could paralyse activities at the Federal Capital Development Authority.

“The future of Nigerian children cannot be sacrificed on the altar of administrative irresponsibility,” Comrade Oladoja declared. “Failure to act promptly will force us to bring Abuja’s administrative machinery to a standstill.”

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NANS concluded by affirming that access to basic education is a constitutional right and not a privilege reserved for the elite. Any attempt to suppress it under political or bureaucratic excuses, it said, would be met with legitimate and organised resistance.