Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has unveiled a new initiative to develop ten new schools in Abuja’s rural communities.
During his media chat on Monday in the nation’s capital, Wike announced that this education project would begin immediately.
The plan, he stated, will be coordinated by the Mandate Secretary of Education to address widespread disparities in educational access outside Abuja’s urban core.
“I promise ten schools; as I leave here, I will tell the mandate secretary to set up the scheme.
It will be in the rural areas,” Wike declared.
Wike’s assurance is drawing intense controversy, with skeptics suggesting the pledge is an attempt to distract from persistent accusations of sectoral neglect.
Persistent Criticism: Is Wike Missing the Education Mark
For months, critics have condemned Wike for allegedly sidelining education and social services in favor of glitzy infrastructure especially road projects in Nigeria’s political heartland.
Accusations have flared up across media and civic space, with activists and parents questioning why only now, after more than 18 months in office, the minister is turning his attention to rural schooling.
In response, Wike argued that simultaneous progress across every sector is “impossible” in just two years.
He pledged, however, that more robust attention to education is coming as part of his “balanced development” blueprint.
Still, many find his excuses unconvincing, and the timing suspicious.
Announcing a new school scheme just as criticism reaches a fever pitch seems more a tactic than a genuine shift in policy priorities.
Abuja’s Growth: Development for Whom
Despite Wike’s claims of transformative leadership, perceptions of uneven development still taint the FCT.
While major boulevards and city bridges gleam, many rural districts remain off-grid, with little access to quality education or healthcare.
For residents of these outlying areas, the Minister’s promises ring hollow without visible and immediate action.
Activists and opposition voices have seized on the moment, charging that the new ten-school plan is “too little, too late.”
Civil society groups point to the dilapidated state of existing rural schools and the chronic shortage of teachers and supplies.
If Wike’s legacy is to be more than fresh asphalt and modern signage, many believe his education scheme must be radically expanded and transparently executed.
Political Allies Jump Into the Fray
Amid the controversy, stalwart politicians have added fuel to the debate.
Former Borno State Governor and All
Progressives Congress (APC) heavyweight, Ali Modu Sheriff, entered the discussion in dramatic fashion.
Appearing on Channels TV’s “Politics Today,” Sheriff, never one to soften his language, declared:
“I’m not a fan of Wike. Wike’s character is that of a rascal, but you cannot take away from him that he has changed Abuja.
From the time Abuja was created up to this moment, nobody has worked like him.
So people like me will ignore his rascality because he is working.”
This backhanded endorsement highlights the polarizing nature of Wike’s leadership.
While some see bold progress, others perceive an abrasive approach that ignores fundamental needs.
Sheriff’s comments also raised eyebrows when he accused unnamed ministers of “lying to Nigerians” rather than delivering tangible results.
Skepticism Grows Over Priorities and Transparency
While Wike’s supporters trumpet his record on roads, skepticism about his priorities is mounting.
Education activists and local leaders from Abuja’s outskirts suggest that headline grabbing school construction won’t address deeper.
Structural issues such as underperforming teachers, outdated curricula, and absent administrative oversight.
The Minister’s focus on grand announcements, some argue, has led to a government “obsessed with ribbon-cutting, not real reform.”
Even among those applauding Wike’s vision, frustrations abound regarding transparency.
Will the new school scheme be open and accountable?
Will local communities have a voice?
Past development projects in the FCT have been marred by delays, budget overruns, and political interference.
Wike’s assurance that the program will “begin immediately” comes amid public demands for detailed timelines, measurable targets, and regular updates.
Will This Education Pledge Deliver
Personal stories from Abuja’s rural districts paint a sobering picture.
Children trek for miles with the hope of finding a functional classroom, while teachers often struggle without resources or salary.
The lived reality remains far removed from Monday’s press conference proclamations.
History shows that bold political promises can quickly become forgotten footnotes especially in the FCT, where leadership changes are frequent and political stakes high.
Without rigorous follow-through, accountability, and community buy-in, Abuja’s most vulnerable citizens will remain at the mercy of shifting government priorities.
Wahalaupdate Channel’s Perspective
At Wahalaupdate, we recognize that political photo-ops are all too common in Abuja’s story.
Wike’s announcement has set off a heated conversation about what true development should deliver.
Is this new education scheme a genuine turning point, or simply the latest attempt to manage headlines and sustain political capital?
As the dust settles and the cameras fade, the eyes of Abuja’s rural youth will remain fixed on promises made and hope not broken.
