Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has condemned the unauthorized memo directing schools in the nation’s capital to shut down, insisting that those responsible will face full disciplinary action.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday during an inspection tour of infrastructure at A11 in Guzape, Wike described the memo, issued without his approval as “unimaginable” and “unacceptable,” emphasizing that no school in the FCT can be closed without clearance from President Bola Tinubu.
“I saw the memo on television last night and couldn’t believe it,” Wike said. “I immediately reached out to the Mandate Secretary for Education and other authorities. There is no security threat in the FCT to justify shutting down schools.”
The controversial circular, signed by Aishatu Sani Alhassan, Director of School Services at the FCT Secondary Education Board, claimed that FCT schools had been ordered to end academic activities due to alleged security concerns.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), however, swiftly debunked the information, describing it as false and capable of causing unnecessary panic. In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, reaffirmed that no directive for early closure had been issued, urging parents, students, and school authorities to disregard the rumour.
Following preliminary findings, Wike approved the immediate suspension of the Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, while confirming that all directors involved will be sanctioned in line with civil service rules.
“This is the FCT. A decision like that sends the wrong signal—that our capital is unsafe,” Wike said. “Even I cannot take such action without informing Mr. President. Kaduna has not shut down, Nasarawa has not shut down, Kogi has not shut down. So why would we?”
The minister stressed that FCT security agencies have not reported any threat warranting the closure of schools and assured residents of ongoing efforts to keep the capital safe.
“We will not forgive anyone involved in this. Such unilateral decisions cannot happen under my watch,” he added.
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