A civic organization has raised alarm over the deteriorating conditions of a public school in the heart of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, urging the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to urgently intervene. The school, which serves hundreds of students, is reported to be in a state of severe neglect, with crumbling infrastructure, inadequate facilities, and unsanitary conditions that compromise the health and safety of students and staff alike.
The organization, in its statement, highlighted issues such as leaking roofs, dilapidated classrooms, overcrowded learning environments, lack of basic amenities like clean water and functional toilets, and an overall unsafe atmosphere for learning. The group has called on the FCT Minister to prioritize the rehabilitation of the school to provide a conducive environment for academic growth and development.
“We are deeply concerned about the current state of this school, which has become a symbol of neglect within the nation’s capital,” said the spokesperson for the organization. “Children deserve a safe, clean, and functional learning space, but this institution has been left to decay. It is unacceptable that in one of the most developed cities in Nigeria, students are forced to study in such deplorable conditions.”
The organization has urged Minister Wike to direct the necessary resources and personnel to address the situation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that educational institutions in the FCT meet basic standards of safety, comfort, and functionality.
In addition to infrastructure issues, the group pointed out the detrimental impact these conditions have on students' well-being and academic performance. Many students face challenges such as health issues due to exposure to unsanitary environments and distractions from overcrowded classrooms, which ultimately hinder their ability to learn effectively.
The civic organization’s call for intervention comes at a time when there is increasing public discourse around the need for urgent improvements in the country's education sector. It has been suggested that a comprehensive plan for the renovation of schools across Abuja should be developed, with immediate attention given to the most severely affected institutions.