The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that plans are underway to ensure the completion of at least 70 per cent of ongoing public school renovation projects across the FCT by early 2026, under the supervision of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The disclosure was made by officials of the FCTA while providing an update on the administration’s education infrastructure renewal programme, which targets deteriorating primary and secondary schools in Abuja and its satellite towns.
According to the FCTA, the intervention is part of a broader strategy to address years of neglect, overcrowding, and unsafe learning environments in public schools within the nation’s capital.
DDM gathered that dozens of schools across the six area councils have already undergone varying stages of renovation, including classroom reconstruction, roofing, provision of desks, improved sanitation facilities, and perimeter fencing.
Officials explained that the projects were deliberately spread across rural and urban communities to ensure balanced development and reduce the infrastructure gap between Abuja city schools and those in satellite areas.
They noted that many public schools in the FCT had fallen into severe disrepair, forcing students to learn in overcrowded classrooms, leaking roofs, and unsafe structures before the intervention began.
The FCTA said the target of completing 70 per cent of the projects by early 2026 was realistic, given the pace of work currently observed at multiple construction sites.
Contractors handling the renovations have reportedly been placed under strict timelines, with clear performance benchmarks and monitoring mechanisms put in place to prevent delays and abandonment.
The administration emphasized that the education sector remains a critical pillar of human capital development, especially in a city that hosts children from diverse social and economic backgrounds.
Education officials stressed that improving learning infrastructure is essential to boosting student performance, teacher morale, and overall public confidence in government-owned schools.
They added that the renovation programme aligns with national goals of improving access to quality education and meeting minimum standards for safe and conducive learning environments.
Parents and community leaders in several area councils have welcomed the initiative, describing it as long overdue and necessary to reverse the decline in public education facilities.
Some parents noted that the poor state of many schools had previously forced families to turn to expensive private alternatives, putting pressure on household incomes.
Teachers have also expressed cautious optimism, saying improved classrooms and facilities would enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement.
Education advocates, however, have urged the FCTA to ensure that renovation efforts are complemented by teacher recruitment, training, and adequate provision of learning materials.
They warned that infrastructure upgrades alone may not fully address systemic challenges such as teacher shortages, large class sizes, and outdated curricula.
The FCTA acknowledged these concerns, stating that discussions are ongoing on broader reforms, including staff welfare, capacity building, and digital learning support.
The administration also assured residents that transparency and accountability would guide project execution, with regular inspections and public updates.
Observers say the successful completion of the renovation projects could significantly reshape public education in the FCT and set a benchmark for other states.
DDM reports that if delivered as promised, the initiative could ease pressure on private schools, improve enrolment in public institutions, and restore confidence in government-run education by early 2026.
For many families in the Federal Capital Territory, the outcome of the programme will be judged not by announcements, but by the visible transformation of classrooms where children learn every day.