NANS Declares Mass Action to End Two-Month School Closure, Accuses FCT Authorities of Neglecting Education

 

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for a sweeping nationwide protest, citing the prolonged shutdown of public primary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as an intolerable act of negligence. The announcement, made through an official statement signed by the NANS president, Olushola Oladoja, is a reaction to over two months of continued closure that has left thousands of pupils across the territory without access to basic education.

Thousands of children, particularly those from low-income families who rely on government-owned primary schools, have had their learning disrupted since the closure began. NANS is now calling for urgent collective action to compel the government to reopen the affected schools and restore normalcy to the educational system.

Earlier this month, the student body had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FCT Administration under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike. That warning, which expired without any response or concrete action from authorities, set the stage for the decision to initiate mass protests.

Oladoja expressed outrage over what he termed a disturbing silence from the government, accusing authorities of exhibiting total apathy towards the future of Nigerian children. According to him, every effort by the student body to engage the FCT administration in constructive dialogue had been met with indifference. No proposals for compromise were presented; no steps were taken toward reopening the schools.

The NANS president declared that Wednesday, July 2, will mark the beginning of a nationwide protest. He said protesters will gather at the FCDA Secretariat in Area 11, Garki, Abuja by 7:00 a.m., dressed entirely in black. This attire is meant to serve as a symbol of mourning for what he described as the “death of basic education” in the country.

Mobilisation has already begun, with all NANS chapters across the FCT and neighboring states—Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Kaduna—instructed to prepare for full participation. The student union also directed its Zone A and Zone C leadership to spearhead coordination efforts to ensure maximum turnout and logistical efficiency.

This protest, according to Oladoja, is not simply about forcing the reopening of schools. He framed it as a larger struggle for justice, fairness, and the future of Nigeria. The loss of access to education, especially at the primary level, he said, is an attack on the rights of every child and a major threat to national development.

In cities and rural communities alike, parents have voiced growing frustration over the closures. Many say their children have been idle for weeks, and with the rising cost of private education, there are few alternatives available to them. Educationists and civil society groups have also raised alarm over the potential long-term effects of the shutdown, warning that prolonged educational disruption at the foundational level could lead to increased dropout rates and a decline in literacy levels.

Reports indicate that the closure of schools stems from a labour dispute involving the FCT's Local Education Authorities, with unresolved issues around teacher remuneration and working conditions. While negotiations between unions and the FCT administration reportedly began months ago, little progress has been made, and there has been minimal communication with the public regarding the status of the talks.

The FCT Administration has not issued any recent statement in response to the ultimatum or the protest announcement. Critics say the silence from official quarters reflects a broader trend of governmental detachment from critical social issues, particularly those affecting the poor and marginalized.

Students, rights activists, and civil society allies are expected to flood the streets of Abuja and beyond this week in what is being described as a pivotal moment in the fight for educational access and accountability.

As Nigeria grapples with multiple crises, the voices of students demanding change are growing louder. The protest spearheaded by NANS is set to serve as a sharp reminder that access to quality education is not a privilege but a fundamental right, and any denial of it is a disservice to the nation’s collective future.