Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the Federal Capital Territory Administration under Minister Nyesom Wike for neglecting the education of thousands of primary school pupils in Abuja, who have been out of school for over three months due to an unresolved teachers’ strike.
Expressing deep concern on Thursday, Obi noted that while billions are being spent on infrastructure renovations across the FCT, young children continue to suffer at home without access to basic education. He warned that any nation that sidelines education in favor of cosmetic projects is digging itself deeper into poverty and insecurity.
Obi said the situation initially appeared temporary, with many believing the strike would be resolved in a matter of days given Abuja’s political significance. However, three months later, classrooms remain locked, leaving the educational future of the affected children hanging in the balance.
Highlighting the broader implications, Obi drew attention to Nigeria’s commitment to global development benchmarks like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both of which prioritize universal access to quality education. He emphasized that the Nigerian government is legally bound under the Universal Basic Education Act to provide compulsory education for every child.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that while roads and buildings can be renovated at any time, the developmental years lost by children are irreversible. “The foundation of any progressive society is an educated population, not mere physical infrastructure,” Obi stated.
Calling for urgent intervention, Obi urged the government to channel resources towards resolving the lingering strike and restoring children back to their classrooms. He also advised national and FCT leadership to prioritize human capital investment over optics-driven projects.
“We cannot build a secure and prosperous Nigeria while ignoring our children’s education,” he concluded.
