By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike said the administration has taken action against officials responsible for an unauthorized circular announcing the early closure of schools in Abuja.
He said the circular, which claimed schools would close on November 28, 2025, due to security concerns, was deemed false and misleading, saying the affected persons will face severe disciplinary action in accordance with Civil Service rules.
Fielding questions from journalists on Wednesday, after inspecting Guzape A 11 infrastructure work, Wike decried the memo released by FCTA Education Secretariat without his prior knowledge, which led to the indefinite suspension of the Mandate secretary of education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo.
He said, “I was watching the television last night and I saw a news scroll that the FCTA had directed that schools should be shut down and I couldn’t believe it. I had to call the Mandate Secretary of Education and of course he couldn’t reply,” the Minister stated. “I even got to know that a circular was issued to all the schools without our approval.”
Wike said security agencies were working round the clock to ensure the safety of lives and property in the nation’s capital and wondered why such an order would be issued to close schools without authorization.
“You can imagine how people will take such a decision without the head of the place knowing. It’s unfortunate… Heads have to roll. We will not forgive anybody who is involved in this”, Wike said.
He faulted the suggestion that the action was taken as a precaution, stating that he, being the Minister, could not even take such a decision without informing the President.
On the infrastructure development drive in Guzape II District (Cadastral Zone A11), the Minister pledged his administration commitment of the Administration to completing inherited projects to expand the city and facilitate development.
He explained that the Guzape II project, awarded six years ago, had been stalled due to lack of funding, adding that its completion is vital to enable plot owners to begin construction.
“Most of the jobs you see us doing are jobs that have been awarded years back before the inception of this administration in 2023. The government thought it fit in order to expand Abuja,” Wike said.
He also revealed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had awarded the contract for the provision of infrastructure in Maitama II, a project that had also been stalled for years, causing property owners to lack access to their land.
The Minister assured that owners of any existing structure affected by the ongoing construction exercise would be duly compensated and relocated in line with the policy of the FCT Administration
