Peter Obi condemns neglect of Abuja pupils as teachers’ strike leaves public schoolchildren at home for over three months, calling it a national disgrace
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has described as a national disgrace the ongoing teachers’ strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which has left public primary school pupils out of school for more than three months.
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Speaking on Friday, Obi expressed deep concern over the prolonged shutdown, noting that even in the nation’s capital—considered the epicentre of government and political power—leaders had failed to address a basic and urgent need: children’s education.
“We thought, ‘This is Abuja; surely it will be resolved in a day or two.’ Yet here we are, three months later, and our children remain at home—while leaders focus on renovating buildings instead of building lives,” Obi said.
He called the situation a damning reflection of the country’s misplaced priorities, adding that education remains the most critical but most neglected element of Nigeria’s development strategy.
We cannot build a New Nigeria while the next generation is left behind.
“Nations that invest in their people—especially their children—build prosperity. However, nations that abandon education tend to dig deeper into poverty, insecurity, and stagnation,” he warned.
Obi reminded Nigerians that the country is a signatory to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both of which recognise education as a foundation for growth.
He also cited the Universal Basic Education Act, which guarantees every Nigerian child the right to quality education.
“What does it say about our national values when the capital of Africa’s most populous nation cannot keep children in school?” he asked. “It’s not just a policy failure—it is a moral failure.”
He urged the government to treat the FCT education crisis with urgency and sincerity, stressing that true national development lies in human capital, not vanity projects.
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“True development is not about structures; it is about people. We cannot build a New Nigeria while the next generation is left behind,” he concluded.
