Wike Greenlights N13.1 Billion Boost for FCT School Upgrades

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has recently given the green light for a substantial allocation of N13.1 billion earmarked to facilitate the refurbishment, construction of new toilets, and provision of furniture in secondary and primary schools across the Six Area Councils in 2024. This significant development was disclosed by Dr. Danlami Hayyo, the Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Education Secretariat, during a comprehensive year-end media briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday.

In his elaborate statement, Dr. Hayyo expounded that the allocated funds would be distributed among the Councils based on the specific needs of their respective school projects. Emphasizing the minister’s dedication to ensuring the execution of all projects in 2024, Hayyo shared insights into the ambitious scope of the initiatives:

“The minister of FCT, who has been aptly described as Mr. Project, has given his approval for new constructions, renovations or rehabilitation, provision of furniture, and construction of toilets in FCT secondary and primary schools, amounting to over N13 billion. Wike has pledged that all these projects will be executed in 2024. While we refrain from providing specific details on the number of schools slated for renovation or construction in each Area Council of the FCT, it is worth noting that the school needs across the councils are not uniform. Some Area Councils face higher demands, featuring numerous dilapidated and congested classrooms. Drawing inspiration from the transformative changes witnessed in Rivers state under the leadership of the current FCT minister, we anticipate a similar positive impact on education in the Federal Capital Territory, evidenced by the allocation of funds for these crucial school projects.”

Furthermore, Dr. Hayyo provided additional insights into the activities of the Education Secretariat throughout the year 2023. Notably, the secretariat organized training sessions for secondary education board staff in London, spanning the entire period from January to December. The focal point of these sessions centered around British Education Training Technology, with the overarching goal of enhancing the skills and knowledge of the participating staff members.

This strategic training initiative aimed to align the capabilities of secondary education board staff with the dynamic landscape of education technology, equipping them with valuable insights and tools to navigate the evolving educational terrain. The diversity of training sessions extended beyond technology, encompassing various crucial aspects of education, including international training on innovation/entrepreneurship, the training of school librarians in e-library management, and the training of teachers in Computer-Based Test methodologies.

Among the notable endeavors, the Education Secretariat facilitated the online training of 80 English teachers in collaboration with the British Council. Additionally, a training program targeted 96 members of the School-Based Management Committee, underscoring the comprehensive approach adopted by the secretariat to empower various stakeholders within the education ecosystem.

In conclusion, Dr. Hayyo called upon the dedicated staff of the secretariat to remain committed to achieving positive results, urging them not to be deterred by challenges. This holistic approach, encompassing both infrastructure investment and personnel development, reflects a forward-looking strategy to uplift the educational standards in the Federal Capital Territory, with an eye towards fostering a more robust and dynamic learning environment. As the initiatives unfold in 2024, the impact on the educational landscape of the FCT is eagerly anticipated, setting the stage for positive transformation and progress.