In response to the ongoing closure of public primary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared that it will hold a large-scale demonstration on Wednesday, July 2.  

NANS voiced grave dissatisfaction with the closures that have persisted for more than two months and prevented thousands of children—especially those from low-income families—from receiving basic education in a statement signed by its president, Olushola Oladoja, on Monday.  

The FCT Administration, led by Minister Nyesom Wike, was given a seven-day ultimatum by NANS last week to reopen the schools or face nationwide protests.

“It is very clear that the government’s silence is an act of negligence and apathy towards the educational destiny of the Nigerian child,” said Oladoja, who described the closure as “unacceptable.”

He went on to say that officials had not attempted to help resolve the impasse or open the impacted schools in spite of several pleas and requests for communication.  

NANS responded by announcing a large-scale demonstration calling for the prompt reopening of all FCT public elementary schools that had been closed.  

In observance of the "death of basic education" in the nation, protesters will gather at the FCDA Secretariat, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, by 7:00 am on Wednesday. They will be wearing black.

“All NANS structures across the FCT and neighbouring states—Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna—are by this notice directed to commence full mobilisation of students, civil society allies, and education rights activists for this mass action,” Oladoja added.

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