FCT Teachers Join Students in Nationwide Protest Over Prolonged Closure of Abuja Primary Schools Under Minister Wike
Teachers in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have announced their decision to join forces with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in a mass protest scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The protest is in response to the prolonged closure of public primary schools in Abuja, a situation that has persisted for over two months.
One of the senior members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), who spoke anonymously, confirmed that FCT primary school teachers will participate in the planned demonstration, which is being organized to pressure the authorities into reopening the schools.
“We, the primary school teachers, will be joining the NANS-organized protest by God’s grace,” the union leader stated.
The teachers have also raised concerns about the conduct of Comrade Stephen Knabayi, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the FCT, accusing him of undermining their efforts.
“His activities seem to be sabotaging our efforts,” the source alleged.
The student body had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, demanding the immediate reopening of schools. However, that deadline has since passed without any resolution.
In an official protest notice dated June 30 and signed by NANS President Olushola Oladoja (Ref No: NANS/Ref/05/9100), the association condemned the government’s silence and lack of action, describing it as a “deliberate act of negligence and disregard for the educational future of the Nigerian child.”
The statement expressed deep concern that thousands of schoolchildren, particularly those from low-income families, have been deprived of basic education due to unresolved disputes between the FCT Administration and the Local Government Education Authorities.
According to the notice titled “Notice of Mobilisation for Protest Against the Continued Closure of Primary Schools in the FCT”, NANS criticized the authorities for ignoring repeated appeals, letters, and calls for constructive dialogue.
In response, NANS has called for full-scale mobilisation of students, civil society organizations, and education rights activists across the FCT and neighboring states including Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna. The association directed its Zone A and Zone C leadership to take immediate steps to coordinate the protest.
The FCT school shutdown has sparked outrage from various stakeholders, who accuse the government of turning a blind eye to the educational needs of vulnerable children. With teachers now joining the movement, pressure is mounting on Minister Wike and the FCT authorities to take urgent action.
