NANS Issues 7-Day Ultimatum to FCT Minister Wike Over Closure of Public Primary Schools in Abuja

Over Two Months Without Classes: NANS Laments the Plight of Abuja’s Public School Pupils

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly condemned the continued closure of public primary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. In a press statement released by its National President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, the student body issued a 7-day ultimatum to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, demanding immediate action to reopen the schools.
According to NANS, the indefinite shutdown of public primary schools has lingered for over two months, leaving thousands of underprivileged children stranded at home without access to basic education. Meanwhile, children from wealthier backgrounds continue their studies in private institutions, deepening the inequality in educational access.
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Comrade Olushola Oladoja did not mince words in the press release. He described the situation as an injustice of national concern that reflects the government’s lack of empathy toward the poor and marginalized.

“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,” Oladoja stated.

The association believes the root cause of the school closure lies in unresolved administrative issues between the FCT Administration and the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs). Despite several letters and appeals sent to Minister Wike’s office, NANS says all efforts to initiate dialogue or find a solution have been ignored.

The ongoing crisis traces back to wage-related disputes and funding disagreements between the FCT Administration and local education officials. Reports indicate that the primary school teachers have been on strike due to the non-payment of minimum wage arrears, promotional benefits, and a lack of basic infrastructure support.
Many of these teachers are demanding that the FCT Administration fulfill its obligation to implement the nationally approved ₦70,000 minimum wage and additional entitlements based on service level promotions. However, despite public assurances by government officials, no concrete steps have been taken to resolve the standoff.
The result? Public school gates in Abuja remain shut, and the hopes of children from low-income families continue to fade.

NANS expressed deep frustration over what it described as Minister Nyesom Wike’s silence and lack of engagement with stakeholders on the matter. According to the association, multiple letters have been sent to Wike’s office requesting dialogue and proposing collaborative solutions, but not a single response has been received.

“Our approach has always been based on responsible engagement and constructive dialogue. But the silence of the Minister has left us with no option but to escalate our actions,” said the NANS President.

This silence, NANS believes, is a dangerous signal of disregard for the future of Nigerian children and the right to education enshrined in the country’s constitution.
In response to the prolonged inaction, NANS has now given Minister Wike a seven-working-day ultimatum to act. If the public primary schools are not reopened within that period, the student body has vowed to mobilize thousands of students and education rights activists for a mass protest and total shutdown of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

“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,” Oladoja warned.

NANS added that this is not a threat but a legitimate expression of democratic rights, noting that Nigerian students will no longer tolerate any form of systemic neglect or suppression of access to education.
The association emphasized that basic education is a constitutional right and should not be treated as a bargaining chip in political or bureaucratic disputes.
According to UNICEF, Nigeria already has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the world, and the prolonged closure of schools in the capital only adds to this worrisome statistic. NANS believes that every day lost in the classroom is a dent in the nation’s future.

“We are not just speaking for today’s children, but for the Nigeria of tomorrow. Every abandoned child is a future crisis in the making,” Oladoja added.

Parents of affected children have also voiced their anger and frustration. Many are unable to afford private school fees and rely solely on public education for their children’s future.
Mrs. Esther Obi, a single mother of three, told reporters:

“My children have been at home since April. I can’t afford a private school. Is it a crime to be poor in Nigeria? Why should our children suffer while the children of politicians continue learning comfortably?”

Another parent, Mr. Tunde Adewale, described the situation as

“unacceptable and dangerous,” adding that “idle children are at risk of abuse, street crime, and mental health problems.”

The crisis in Abuja’s public primary education sector is not just a local problem, NANS insists. It reflects a national failure to prioritize public education, and it demands urgent federal attention.
The association is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Education, the National Assembly, and all concerned stakeholders to intervene before the situation spirals further out of control.
With the countdown ticking, all eyes are now on Nyesom Wike and the FCT Administration. Will they respond to the cries of thousands of children and their parents? Or will silence continue to rule while the nation's future leaders are denied a fundamental right?
NANS has made it clear: the era of silent suffering is over. The association is prepared to take peaceful but firm action to ensure that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to sit in a classroom and learn.
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What’s Your Take?
Are you a parent, teacher, student, or concerned citizen affected by the school closure in Abuja? Share your thoughts in the comments below. What do you think the government should do to resolve this crisis? Let your voice be heard. 

By PrimeLineInfo