The National Association of Nigerian Students have issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, demanding the instant re-opening of public primary schools in Abuja.
The group recently declared that continued closure would lead to a mass student-led protest and shutdown of the Federal Capital Development Authority.
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Recall that public primary schools in the FCT remain locked after two months due to unresolved issues between the FCT Administration and the Local Government Education Authorities.
Reacting via its National President, Olushola Oladoja, NANS alleged that the FCT administration is deliberately denying the children of the common man quality education while their kids enjoy uninterrupted learning in expensive private schools.
According to him, despite the many official letters that have been sent to Wike to request an audience that will resolve the crisis, innocent children are still unable to access their classrooms because of a dispute they know nothing about.
“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,” it read.
Olushola further noted that none of the letters have been acknowledged by the FCT administration thus far, and no meeting has taken place.
He warned that, at this rate, mobilisation of thousands of students and education rights activists will have to happen for a peaceful but total shutdown of the FCDA.
NANS concluded by saying that it only wanted a civilized engagement and constructive dialogue, but Wike’s silence has left the group no choice.
“Our approach has always been rooted in responsible engagement and constructive dialogue, but the Minister’s silence has left us with no choice but to escalate.
The right to basic education is non-negotiable, and any attempt to suppress it under political or bureaucratic excuses will be met with legitimate resistance.
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,” he added.
