By Obinna Uballa
Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has suspended Danlami Hayyo, the mandate secretary for education, after a controversial memo circulated directing government schools in Abuja to shut down by November 28.
The memo, signed by Aishatu Sani Alhassan, director of school services, instructed principals of all public senior secondary schools to end academic activities immediately and dismiss students “in an orderly and safe manner” due to alleged urgent security concerns.
The document, titled “Urgent Need for Early Closure of Schools Due to Security Concerns,” quickly sparked confusion and anxiety among parents and school authorities.
However, the FCT Administration swiftly distanced itself from the memo. In a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on public communications and social media to the minister, the administration dismissed the report as “false and misleading,” stressing that “no such decision was taken at any level.”
Olayinka added that Wike directed Nancy Sabanti Nathan, the acting head of service, to commence disciplinary action against Alhassan for issuing the unauthorised memo.
Parents, students and school administrators were urged to disregard the closure order, as the official academic calendar “remains intact and unaffected.”
The statement further assured residents of adequate security across the FCT. Olayinka disclosed that Wike had ordered the reactivation of Operation Sweep and other security measures to strengthen surveillance around schools and communities.
