Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, suspended Danlami Hayyo, the mandate secretary for education, following the circulation of a memo directing government schools in Abuja to shut down on November 28.
The memo, signed by Aishatu Sani Alhassan, director of school services, instructed principals of public senior secondary schools to “end all academic activities immediately and ensure students are dismissed in an orderly and safe manner,” citing urgent security concerns.
However, the FCT administration swiftly disowned the directive. In a statement, Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on public communications and social media to the minister, said: “The FCT administration has debunked the report that all Government Schools in the Federal Capital Territory were mandated to close by November 28, 2025. No such decision was taken at any level of the administration.”
Olayinka further disclosed that Nancy Sabanti Nathan, the acting head of service, had been directed to initiate disciplinary action against Alhassan in line with civil service rules. He described the viral claim of early school closure as “false and misleading,” urging parents, students, and school authorities to disregard it.
According to the statement, the approved academic calendar remains intact and unaffected. The administration also assured residents of adequate security across the territory. “The minister has directed the resumption of Operation Sweep and other security measures to strengthen safety around schools and communities,” Olayinka added.