The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has warned that the officials who ordered the recent unauthorized closure of schools in Abuja will face strict punishment under Civil Service rules.
He spoke on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Guzape II District.
This is contained in a statement signed by Rabi Musa Umar, the assistant press director, office of the FCT Minister.
Wike said he was shocked to see the news on television. “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,” he said.
He added that he later learned that “a circular was issued to all the schools without our approval.”
The Minister said security agencies were already working hard to keep Abuja safe and questioned why anyone would issue such an order 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,” he said.
He stressed that even he, as Minister, could not make such a decision without informing the President.
Wike confirmed that the Directors involved will be disciplined, and noted that the Mandate Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo, was already on indefinite suspension.
Speaking on the infrastructure projects in Guzape II, Wike said the government is committed to completing old projects to allow the city to grow.
He said many of the projects being worked on today were awarded years ago, explaining, “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.”
He also announced that the Federal Executive Council had approved new infrastructure work in Maitama II, another abandoned project.
According to him, people whose structures are affected by ongoing construction will be compensated and relocated as required by FCT policy.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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