Pupils learnung on bare floor in Abuja school, insert FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike Photo: Inshot
By Victory Oghene
Over 211 pupils of LEA Primary School in Gofidna Community, Jiwa Ward, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), are struggling to receive basic education in classrooms without desks, chairs, doors and ceilings, with some children forced to sit on bare floors and mats during lessons this is just as the Federal Capital Minister, Nyesom Wike promised N10m to every councillor who successfully delivers their political ward to President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress candidates in the 2027 general elections.
MonitNG, an agency that raised concerns over the school’s condition, has called on Wike, the AMAC Chairman, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the FCT Education Secretariat to urgently intervene and rehabilitate school the facility.
In its appeal, MonitNG cited reported UBEC figures showing that the FCT has N5.67billion in unspent education funds out of N246 billion allocated across the country.
The agency questioned why the available resources had not translated into decent classrooms and basic learning facilities for pupils in communities such as Gofidna.
Some of the pupils have no choice but to sit on bare floors and mats because the school lacks desks and chairs.
The classrooms are also reportedly without doors and ceilings, while other basic facilities needed to support effective learning are lacking.
“Some of these children sit on bare floors and mats to learn because there are no desks or chairs. The classrooms reportedly have no doors, no ceilings and lack other basic facilities,” MonitNG stated.
The agency expressed concerns that the affected children are being made to learn in conditions that undermine their comfort and ability to concentrate, despite living in Nigeria’s capital.Nigerian news analysis
“These are young children who should be sitting comfortably in classrooms, not struggling to find somewhere to sit while trying to acquire an education,” it added.
The pupils have ambitions of becoming doctors, teachers, engineers and other professionals, but their educational environment does not provide the basic conditions needed to pursue those dreams.
“No child should have to endure this simply because they were born and raised in a neglected community”.
The appeal questioned the FCT Administration’s priorities, pointing out that the situation was unfolding in Abuja, where government officials regularly showcase projects and promote the Renewed Hope Agenda.
It also criticised the government’s spending priorities, raising concerns about the construction of multi-billion-naira residences for judges while children in communities such as Gofidna continue to study without basic classroom facilities.
MonitNG urged the FCT Minister to look beyond the city centre and pay attention to communities where public schools lack essential infrastructure.
The agency specifically questioned the reported unspent education funds, asking “Why is this money not translating into decent classrooms and basic learning facilities for children who desperately need them?”
The agency also demanded the provision of desks and chairs, the rehabilitation of classrooms and the installation of other basic facilities to ensure that pupils can learn in a suitable environment.
“Over 211 children sitting on bare floors in Nigeria’s capital is a national embarrassment. Gofidna’s children deserve desks, chairs, decent classrooms and, above all, a fair chance at a better future”.Nigerian news analysis
The appeal urged the relevant authorities to ensure that children in Gofidna are not excluded from public investment in education, stressing the need for immediate action to improve their learning conditions.
While these children sit on bare floor to study,
Wike promised Councillors N10 million during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting attended by traditional rulers, political stakeholders and residents in Kwali Area Council on Monday
He urged councillors to mobilise residents and community groups to secure victory for the APC in their respective wards, Channels TV reported.
“Any councillor that delivers his ward will get N10 million reward. Therefore, go and meet your leaders, go and meet your youth groups, go and consult with associations. Let’s deliver our ward to Mr President,” he said.
The minister also declared his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid and endorsed Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.
“I don’t need to preach to you any longer. The one you are seeing is what you follow, not the one that will give you unfulfilled promises. I will go to sleep tonight because I know Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji are 100 per cent for APC,” Wike declared.
