More Heads To Role Over Memo On Closure Of Schools In FCT – Wike

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday it criticised the memorandum that directed the closure of schools within the FCT, maintaining that individuals accountable for releasing it would be held responsible and face appropriate repercussions. He characterised the move as “unimaginable,” underscoring that no director possessed the power to close schools without obtaining clearance from superior authorities.

While addressing journalists during a visit to assess ongoing infrastructure projects at A11 in the Guzape district of Abuja, Wike highlighted that President Bola Tinubu would have to be informed prior to the closure of any school located in the country’s capital. He further pointed out that no credible security threat existed that could warrant issuing such an order.

The issue arose following circulated reports alleging that all public schools in Abuja had received instructions to shut down by November 28, 2025. On Tuesday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) refuted the claims, declaring them unfounded and likely to provoke unnecessary alarm among the public. The reports indicated that the instruction stemmed from a memorandum bearing the signature of Aishatu Sani Alhassan, who serves as Director of School Services at the FCT Secondary Education Board. The document, entitled “Urgent Need for Early Closure of Schools Due To Security Concerns,” directed school principals to terminate academic sessions immediately and send students home.

In response to the ensuing uncertainty, Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, released an official statement affirming that no authorisation for such a directive had been granted at any administrative level. He reaffirmed that the existing academic calendar would continue without alteration and advised parents as well as school management to disregard the circulating rumour.

As a direct consequence, the Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, was placed on suspension. Wike voiced his astonishment regarding the development, stating, “Well, you know in the system, sometimes you get baffled. And that’s why it’s important for one to be current. I was watching television last night and I saw a school, that FCT has directed that schools should be shut down. I couldn’t believe it, so I had to call the Mandate Secretary of Education and of course, he couldn’t reply then I had to get to the details.”

Wike went on to explain, “I got to know that the circular was issued to all the schools without our approval. And I know that we’re having a Security Council meeting today. I called the Commissioner of Police and I called other necessary authorities. I said, who did this? and they said, It’s not in their agenda and there’s no way because we don’t have such a threat that will make us shut down the schools.”

He announced that the Mandate Secretary had been suspended for an indefinite period, adding that the directors implicated would face disciplinary measures in accordance with civil service regulations. “It’s unimaginable how people could take such a decision without the head of the affairs knowing. It’s very unfortunate.”

Wike noted that the memorandum had conveyed a misleading picture of the security situation in Abuja. “How could you have taken such an action in anticipation? I mean, even I cannot do that without letting the President know. This is the FCT. Do you know what that tells? That there’s insecurity in FCT.”

He raised concerns about the rationale behind the directive, particularly since neighbouring states had refrained from similar measures. “Kaduna has never shut down, Nassarawa has never shut down, And Kogi never shut down. So how will you say we were threatened? The security do everything they can to make sure that the schools are safe. But we will not forgive anybody who is involved in this.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli