Abuja Schools in Crisis: Lawmakers Decry Deplorable State of Education and Infrastructure in Nigeria's Capital
Lawmakers Highlight Dire State of Education and Infrastructure in Nigeria's Capital, Abuja
Chukwuebuka Aniakor 
Obika Chinedu, a member of the House of Representatives, has expressed concern over the poor state of schools in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. He made these remarks during the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Ancillary Matters.
Chinedu, who represents the Bwari/AMAC federal constituency for the Labour Party (LP), revealed that students in some Abuja schools are forced to learn on bare floors due to the deplorable state of facilities. He pointed out that some of these schools are less than a kilometer away from Aso Rock, the seat of power.
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The lawmaker also highlighted the dilapidated infrastructure in the capital city, which he said requires urgent repair. “The situation in the FCT is very pathetic. Our students study on a bare floor. We don’t have roofs over some of our schools in the FCT. Our satellite towns are nothing to talk about. All the roads are dilapidated,” he said.
Chinedu further stated that the nation’s capital should be a “pace setter” compared to other states of the federation. He lamented the state of infrastructure in places like Kubwa, Nyanya, and Lugbe, which he said have been neglected for over 30 years.
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Sada Soli, a lawmaker from Katsina, echoed Chinedu’s sentiments, stating that the area councils in Abuja “have been left behind” in the infrastructural revolution and “need to catch up with the development”.
Mariya Mahmud, Minister of State for FCT, responded to the lawmakers’ concerns, promising that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) will work with the lawmakers to address the development challenges in Abuja. She pledged to work with stakeholders “towards the development and betterment of residents of the FCT and visitors”.
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Agbedi Frederick, chairman of the committee, assured that lawmakers will “pay attention” to all the sectors in the FCT under the jurisdiction of the panel, including agriculture, cultural festivals, resettlement schemes, and satellite town development.
