NANS ultimatum to Wike over two-month closure of Abuja primary schools threatens protest if no action is taken within seven days

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a stern warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, demanding the immediate reopening of public primary schools in Abuja.

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The NANS ultimatum to Wike follows over two months of school closures that have left thousands of pupils stranded.

In a statement on Tuesday, NANS expressed outrage over what it described as the government’s insensitivity to the education of children from less-privileged backgrounds, noting that their elite counterparts continue to enjoy uninterrupted learning in private institutions.

“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,” said Comrade Olushola Oladoja, NANS National President.

According to the statement, the closure is the result of unresolved issues between the FCT Administration and the Local Government Education Authorities.

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

The NANS ultimatum to Wike underscores that multiple letters and requests for dialogue sent to the FCT Minister have gone unanswered.

The student body said it had exhausted all channels of responsible engagement, adding that the silence from the minister’s office leaves them no choice but to escalate their actions.

“If the schools are not reopened within the next seven working days, NANS will mobilise thousands of students and education rights advocates nationwide for a mass action and total shutdown of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA),” Oladoja warned.

NANS also insisted that basic education is a constitutional right and cannot be sacrificed for political or bureaucratic disagreements. The NANS ultimatum to Wike makes clear that students will not tolerate any further delay.

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

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The closure has triggered growing concern among parents and rights groups, who argue that denying access to education undermines both national development and the social contract between government and citizens.