The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, a strict seven-day deadline to reopen public primary schools in Abuja.
The student organization warned that if the schools remain closed beyond this period, they will organize protests and enforce a shutdown of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
Public primary schools across the FCT have been shut for over two months, following unresolved disputes between the FCT Administration and Local Government Education Authorities.
In a statement released on Tuesday, NANS National President Olushola Oladoja and National PRO Samson Adeyemi condemned the FCT Administration for denying access to education, especially to children from low-income families. They called the extended closure a clear indication of government neglect.
“It is deeply troubling that innocent children in Nigeria’s capital have been locked out of classrooms for more than two months. This demonstrates a worrying disregard for the welfare of ordinary citizens,” the statement said.
NANS revealed that they had sent multiple official letters to Minister Wike seeking intervention and dialogue, but these efforts went unanswered.
“We have consistently pursued peaceful and constructive engagement, but the minister’s silence has left us no choice but to escalate the issue,” the statement added.
The student group pledged to rally thousands of students and education advocates nationwide to peacefully shut down the FCDA if the government does not act within the seven-day timeframe.
“The right to basic education is non-negotiable. Attempts to deny it under political or bureaucratic excuses will be met with firm resistance,” NANS stressed.
They concluded by warning that failure to respond swiftly will cripple Abuja’s administrative operations, and that the future of Nigerian children cannot be sacrificed to administrative neglect.
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