Federal Capital Territory Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has issued a firm warning that any officials responsible for shutting schools in the FCT without authorisation will face strict disciplinary action under Civil Service regulations.
Wike gave the warning on Wednesday while speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing infrastructure development in Guzape II District, Abuja.
The Minister said he was shocked and disappointed after learning that officials in the FCTA Education Secretariat had circulated an unauthorised directive ordering the closure of schools. The action has already resulted in the indefinite suspension of the Mandate Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo.
He said he discovered the development after seeing a news ticker on television announcing that FCTA had ordered schools to close. According to him, he immediately contacted the Mandate Secretary, who could not offer any explanation. He added that a circular had already been issued to schools without approval from the leadership.
Wike stressed that security agencies had confirmed there was no credible threat in Abuja to justify such a drastic decision, especially when neighbouring states such as Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Kogi had not carried out similar closures.
He condemned the action as careless and irresponsible, saying such decisions must never be taken without the knowledge of the head of the Administration. He warned that those involved must face consequences, insisting that no one would be spared.
Wike dismissed claims that the officials acted as a precaution, stating that he would never announce school closures without first briefing the President. He added that directors implicated in the matter would be disciplined in line with Civil Service procedures.
On the ongoing infrastructure works in Guzape II District (Cadastral Zone A11), Wike reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to completing old projects to expand Abuja and drive development.
He said most of the projects currently being executed were awarded years before the present Administration came into office in 2023, and that the government decided to revive them in order to expand the capital city and create new districts.
The Minister noted that the Guzape II project, awarded six years ago, stalled due to poor funding and that its completion is critical to allow allottees to begin development on their plots.
He also disclosed that the Federal Executive Council has approved a long-stalled contract for infrastructure development in Maitama II, which had left landowners unable to access or use their property.
Wike assured that any structures affected by the new development works will receive appropriate compensation and relocation in accordance with FCTA’s policies.
