Former presidential aide and public affairs analyst, Laolu Akande, has called on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and the six Area Council Chairmen to urgently meet the demands of striking Abuja primary school teachers, describing the continued closure of schools as a national disgrace and a clear violation of children’s rights to basic education.

Speaking on the My Take segment of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television, the former presidential adviser painted a bleak picture of systemic neglect in Nigeria’s public education system. He stressed that the ongoing industrial action, which has left thousands of pupils stranded at home since April, reflects a broader national failure to prioritize education, especially for low-income families. Akande referenced dire conditions in schools like the Local Education Authority Primary School in Sabon Geri, where over 500 children reportedly learn in crumbling, overcrowded classrooms with no furniture.

He criticized both state and local authorities, arguing that education and healthcare have deteriorated drastically across the country while billions in UBEC funds lie dormant due to state governments’ inaction. “The Minister of Education has been practically begging governors to assess nearly ₦300 billion UBEC funds since 2020,” he said, while noting that FCT teachers have been excluded from the new ₦70,000 minimum wage promised by President Bola Tinubu.

Akande outlined the teachers’ key demands, including: immediate payment of salary arrears from January 2025, implementation of the new minimum wage, enforcement of the 2014 tripartite agreement, and a repayment plan for outstanding entitlements. Describing the demands as “modest and just,” he warned that the ongoing strike is eroding the educational future of thousands of children and urged leaders to act with compassion and urgency. “Where is our conscience?” he asked. “This situation is not good at all.”