WIKE suspends Education Secretary, dismisses claims that government schools in the FCT had been shut down

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 - The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday, November 25, forcefully dismissed reports circulating on social media and broadcast platforms claiming that all government schools in the FCT had been ordered to shut down by November 28, 2025. The FCTA insisted that “no such decision was taken at any level of the administration.”

Following the controversy triggered by the unauthorized circular, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, ordered the immediate suspension of the Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo

The Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, also disclosed that the Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan, has been directed to initiate disciplinary action against the Director of School Services, Mrs. Aishatu Sani Alhassan, in line with civil service rules.

The FCTA described the reports of an early school closure as false and misleading. It urged parents, students, and school authorities to ignore the rumour and continue with the approved academic calendar, which remains unchanged. This swift action comes as some states in Northern Nigeria have recently shut their schools due to a resurgence in student abductions.

Speaking at a media interface on Tuesday evening, the suspended Mandate Secretary, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, denied authorizing any directive for schools to shut down.

He claimed he was taken aback by the circular and insisted that the official who signed it lacked both the authority and the clearance to do so.

“Seriously, the way you saw the circular is the same way I saw it. The director who signed the circular had no right to do that. In the FCT Administration, you can only close schools with the approval of the Honourable Minister of FCT. I never received any approval from the Minister and there was nothing that warranted closure of schools on or before Friday 28th,” he stated.

Dr. Hayyo appealed to parents to disregard the unauthorized announcement, emphasizing that teaching and learning activities across FCT schools were continuing uninterrupted and assuring them, “There is no cause for alarm. All our schools are safe.”

The FCTA concluded by reiterating its commitment to maintaining academic stability and ensuring the safety of all students across the territory. The administration has also assured residents of adequate security measures, noting that the Minister has ordered the resumption of Operation Sweep and other security initiatives across the FCT.