FCT Schools Remain Open: Wike Wields The Big Stick, Suspends Mandate Secretary Over ‘Fake’ Closure Memo

FCT Schools Remain Open: Wike Wields The Big Stick, Suspends Mandate Secretary Over ‘Fake’ Closure Memo

 

ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has vehemently debunked widespread reports alleging that schools within the territory have been ordered to close due to insecurity. In a decisive move to restore order and punish administrative negligence, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate suspension of the Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo.

Addressing the press regarding the confusion that gripped the nation’s capital over the weekend, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, maintained that the 2025 academic calendar remains unchanged. He stressed that the administration’s resolve to keep the education sector running smoothly is “unshakable” and will not be derailed by unauthorized directives.

The confusion stemmed from a circular that went viral on Friday, purportedly signed by the Director of School Services at the FCT Secondary Education Board, Mrs. Aishatu Sani Alhassan. The memo claimed that schools were to shut down immediately due to rising security concerns, a directive that sent shockwaves through the parent community and school administrators across Abuja.

The “Unauthorized” Memo and Immediate Backlash

 

The genesis of the panic was a document that surfaced late last week, directing principals and school heads to vacate students by Friday, November 28, 2025. The memo cited “security threats” as the primary driver for the sudden closure, a narrative that gained traction rapidly given recent security challenges in neighboring states like Niger and Kebbi.

However, the FCTA has clarified that this document was neither authorized by the Minister nor reflective of the current security intelligence in the capital.

“Our commitment to the safety of students is paramount, but we cannot allow administrative recklessness to dictate public policy,” a senior FCTA official stated during the briefing. “The Minister is unhappy with the way the Education Secretariat handled this communication. You cannot simply wake up and shut down the school system without due process and clearance from the highest level.”

Olayinka emphasized that the Minister’s reaction was not just about debunking the rumor, but about enforcing discipline within the civil service. He noted that government officials who act outside their mandate, causing unnecessary panic, would face severe consequences.

Ministerial Action: The Suspension of Dr. Danlami Hayyo

 

In what is being described as a “cleaning of the Augean stables,” Minister Nyesom Wike directed the immediate suspension of Dr. Danlami Hayyo, the Mandate Secretary for the Education Secretariat. The suspension is pending a full investigation into how the unauthorized memo was drafted and released without Ministerial approval.

Furthermore, the Minister has directed the Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan, to issue an immediate query and sanction to the Director of School Services, Mrs. Aishatu Sani Alhassan, for issuing the circular that triggered the controversy.

“We have always been clear with the Education Secretariat,” Olayinka told newsmen. “When they come out to issue directives that affect the lives of thousands of students and parents, it must be based on facts and authorized instructions. But clearly, there was a breach of protocol here. The Minister has stated that negligence will not be tolerated.”

The administration clarified that if there were genuine security threats significant enough to warrant a shutdown, the announcement would come directly from the Minister’s office or the overarching FCT Security Council, not via a departmental memo from the Secondary Education Board.

Security Concerns vs. Academic Stability

 

The rumors of the shutdown did not happen in a vacuum. They were fueled by the current climate of anxiety regarding school safety in Northern Nigeria. With banditry affecting schools in surrounding states, parents in Abuja have been on high alert.

However, the FCTA insists that security measures around FCT schools have been fortified and there is no intelligence report warranting a disruption of the academic session.

“If we had allowed this unauthorized memo to stand, it would have handed a victory to fearmongers,” an education stakeholder commented on the situation. “The government is right to verify facts. Closing schools is a last resort, not a knee-jerk reaction.”

The Administration reiterated that security agencies, including the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), are working in synergy to ensure the safety of students. The government argues that a premature shutdown would only serve to disrupt the educational progress of students who are preparing for end-of-term examinations.

Fact-Check: The Official Academic Calendar

 

Parents and Guardians are advised to disregard the viral circular. The official stance of the FCTA is as follows:

• Status of Schools: OPEN and operational.

• Term End Date: Remains as scheduled in the 2024/2025 academic calendar (typically mid-December for the first term).

• Security Advice: Schools are to maintain vigilance but proceed with normal academic activities.

The FCT Administration has warned that any school principal or proprietor who unilaterally closes their school based on the false memo will be sanctioned for disrupting the harmonized academic calendar.

The Ripple Effect on Private and Public Schools

 

The debunked rumor had initially caused chaos on Friday afternoon, with many parents rushing to pick up their wards from boarding houses. Private school owners were also left in a dilemma, unsure whether to comply with the memo or wait for further instructions.

With this official debunking and the high-profile suspension of the Education Secretary, the government hopes to restore confidence in the system.

“We are hoping that this decisive action by the Minister sends a strong message,” Olayinka concluded. “The business of governance is serious. We will continue to defend the integrity of our educational system against internal sabotage and external rumors. Parents should send their children to school on Monday. There is no shutdown.”

As the new week begins, all eyes will be on the FCT Education Secretariat as it navigates this leadership shake-up while trying to ensure a smooth conclusion to the academic term.

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The “Gist” (Key Takeaways)

 

The Verdict: The rumor of an FCT school shutdown due to insecurity is FALSE. Schools remain open.

The Consequence: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has suspended the Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, for negligence. The Director of School Services, Mrs. Aishatu Sani Alhassan, is also facing sanctions.

The Official Stance: The viral memo was unauthorized. The academic calendar remains unchanged, and students are expected in class.

Security Update: The FCTA maintains that while vigilance is necessary, there is no verified threat warranting a territory-wide closure. Security around schools has been beefed up.

Next Steps: Parents are advised to ignore social media panic and adhere only to statements from the Office of the FCT Minister or the official FCTA media channels.