In a recent social media post, Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has sharply criticized Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former two-term governor of Rivers State, for celebrating his son’s graduation from a university in the United Kingdom while failing to establish quality educational institutions in Nigeria.
Sowore's comments come in response to Wike's public announcement celebrating his son Jordan's achievement of earning a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Queen Mary University of London. While Wike expressed pride in his son's accomplishments, Sowore seized the opportunity to question Wike’s commitment to improving education within Nigeria, particularly given his extensive political career as both an Education Minister and a governor.
In his critique, Sowore stated: "As a former Education Minister and two-term governor, it is troubling that Nyesom Wike could not build a good school for his own children to attend in Nigeria. Instead, he sends them abroad for education while millions of Nigerian children continue to suffer in poorly funded and inadequate schools." This statement highlights a broader concern regarding the state of education in Nigeria and the disparity between the privileges afforded to political elites and the realities faced by average citizens.
Sowore further emphasized that Wike’s actions reflect a systemic failure within Nigeria’s educational framework, where political leaders often prioritize personal interests over public welfare. He called for accountability from leaders who have held significant positions of power without making substantial improvements to local educational infrastructure.
The celebration of Jordan Wike’s graduation has sparked discussions on social media, with many users echoing Sowore’s sentiments about the need for political leaders to invest in domestic education systems rather than relying on foreign institutions. Critics argue that such practices perpetuate inequality and hinder the development of Nigeria's educational landscape.