FCTA DISMISSES RUMOURED SCHOOL CLOSURE, SUSPENDS EDUCATION SECRETARY

Tension rippled through the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday after a circular suggesting an early closure of government secondary schools spread rapidly across the city, prompting fear among parents and students. By evening, the administration had firmly dismissed the claim and moved against senior officials linked to the document. The memo, attributed to Aishatu Sani Alhassan, Director of School Services, instructed principals to shut schools by Friday, citing security concerns. It travelled swiftly across social media, igniting concern in communities already unsettled by recent reports of insecurity. The Federal Capital Territory Administration later declared the circular fake, stressing that no decision had been taken to close schools. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to the FCT Minister, stated that the approved academic calendar remained in force and urged residents to disregard the misinformation. The development triggered disciplinary actions at the top ranks of the education secretariat. FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, ordered the suspension of the Mandate Secretary of Education, Dr Danlami Hayyo, while directing the Acting Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, to initiate formal disciplinary procedures against Alhassan. Before his suspension, Hayyo maintained that he neither authorized nor approved any directive concerning school closure. He insisted that only the Minister could issue such an order and appealed for calm as teaching and learning continued without interruption. The administration has since ordered tighter security around schools, including the reactivation of Operation Sweep and other measures aimed at assuring residents of government’s commitment to safeguarding learning environments. The matter has left the capital on alert, as parents await further clarity while officials move to contain the fallout of a memo that never should have been issued.

| 2025-11-26 07:23:16