FCT Public Schools Transformation: Breaking Academic Tourism Trend Under Wike

In a bold move that challenges long-held perceptions, the Mandate Secretary for Education in the Federal Capital Territory Administration ,FCTA, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, has enrolled his two sons, Ahmad and Mukhtar, into Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, Maitama in Abuja.

For years, the narrative has been the same, as senior government officials and political elites, especially those directly involved in education, often prefer to send their children to private schools abroad or elite institutions within Nigeria.

This pattern not only bred mistrust in the public school system but also encouraged what education experts describe as “academic tourism”, a situation where families look outside the country for quality education.

However, the narrative has shifted, as Ahmad and Mukhtar, both 14 years old, joined dozens of other hopeful students clutching admission forms as they underwent enrollment for the 2025/2026 academic session.

Speaking after the exercise, the Mandate Secretary FCT Education Secretariat, Dr Danlami Hayyo explained that his decision followed the quality and standard of the school.

“It is time to restore the confidence of Abuja residents in our public schools, especially with the massive investment that the Minister of the FCT, Barr Nyesom Wike, has put into rehabilitation and construction. We cannot be preaching quality while sending our children elsewhere. We must lead by example”.

“Students from FCT public schools have recently been shown on national and international stages, earning recognition in South Africa, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

“These successes, Dr. Hayyo noted, are proof that “with the right environment, Nigerian students can compete with their peers anywhere in the world.”

Dr Hayyo hinted that the Wike’s administration has invested heavily in transforming public schools across the FCT. From modern laboratories and multipurpose dining halls to technology-driven classrooms equipped with laptops, tablets, and innovative backpacks.

According to him, the new face of FCT public schools is designed to prepare learners for the realities of the 21st century.

The Principal of the Maitama Pyakassa Government Senior Secondary School, Mallam Isah Usman, could not hide his excitement at the enrollment.

“We are overwhelmed that senior officers and military personnel are now entrusting us with their children. The facilities speak for themselves, and it is no surprise that people are regaining trust in the public system.”

According to him, Dr. Hayyo’s decision is more than a symbolic gesture. It represents a conscious shift towards dismantling elitist barriers in education. His action echoes the Minister’s call for inclusivity, affordability, and accessibility in education.

“Public schools in the FCT are no longer second-best. They have become institutions of choice under the transformative leadership of Barr. Wike,”

The enrollment of Ahmad and Mukhtar, witnessed by top education officials, school administrators, and stakeholders, is more than just an administrative exercise. It stands as a milestone in rewriting the story of public education in Abuja, one where accessibility meets excellence and where trust is slowly but surely being restored.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji