The Education Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has refuted the claim that students in FCT schools were being indoctrinated into a particular religion against their wishes.
Malam Kabiru Musa, Head, Information and Public Relation Unit of the secretariat made the rebuttal in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.
It could be recalled that an unidentified teacher had released a voice note, claiming that some students in FCT schools were being forced to accept another religion against their wish.
Musa said that the voice note recorded in Hausa language, linking FCT schools to religious indoctrination was misleading and malicious.
He said that investigations had revealed that the areas and school locations mentioned in the voice note were not in the FCT, but Mararaba in Nasarawa, a neighbouring state.
He identified the schools mentioned in the audio as Government Secondary School (GSS) Mararaba, GSS Bakin Ado, GSS Kurunduma and Aunty Alice School.
“We wish to irrevocably and categorically state that the claims in the said audio are false, baseless, and deliberately misleading.
“Let it be clearly stated that such divisive and harmful narratives aimed at destabilising our education system and creating religious tension will not be tolerated.
“The FCTA reserves the right to take legal and administrative action against individuals or groups propagating such falsehoods against its schools or territory.
“We urge the public, media, and stakeholders to disregard the viral voice note in its entirety and to rely only on verified information from official FCTA sources,” he said.
The head of the information unit stressed that FCT Schools were strictly secular institutions, where students practising different religions coexist peacefully.
He added that the FCT Administration guarantees the freedom of worship and upholds the rights of every child to learn in an environment free from religious discrimination or compulsion.
“Our teachers and school administrators are highly trained professionals who operate strictly within the bounds of professional ethics and codes of conduct.
“They are dedicated to nurturing students into disciplined, responsible citizens without bias or prejudice,” he said.
Musa further said that the education sector was undergoing transformation under FCT Minister Nyesom Wike-led FCTA, with ongoing massive renovation, reconstruction, and accelerated rehabilitation of schools across the FCT.
This, he said, was in addition to the provision of infrastructure and information and communication technology facilities in FCT schools across the six area councils.
He added that the FCT Education Secretariat, under Dr Danlami Hayyo, the Mandate Secretary, was implementing a robust monitoring and feedback mechanism.
According to him, the measure is to ensure that FCT schools remain centres of excellence, discipline, and inclusiveness.
Read the full statement below
MISLEADING VOICE NOTE IN HAUSA LINKING FCT SCHOOLS TO RELIGIOUS INDOCTRINATION.
The attention of the Education Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has been drawn to a misleading and malicious voice note circulating in Hausa, Language purporting that Students in FCT Schools are being indoctrinated into a particular religion against their wish.
We wish to irrevocably and categorically state that the claims in the said audio are false, baseless, and deliberately misleading. Our investigations have revealed the following:
1. The Areas and School locations mentioned in the voice note are not in the Federal Capital Territory. They do not exist on any official map of the FCT. Findings clearly show that these locations are situated in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, a neighboring State approximately 20 to 25 kilometers from Abuja City Centre.
2. The Schools mentioned are:
* GSS Maraba.
*GSS Bakin Ado
* GJSS Kurunduma
* GSS, kurunduma
*Aunty Alice School where a Teacher from one of the School claimed that some students were forced to accept another faith against their wish.
3. FCT Schools are strictly secular institutions where Students of all faiths(Christians & Muslims)co-exist peacefully. The FCT Administration guarantees the freedom of worship and upholds the rights of every child to learn in an environment free from religious discrimination or compulsion.
4. Our Teachers and School Administrators are highly trained professionals who operate strictly within the bounds of professional ethics and codes of conduct. They are dedicated to nurturing students into disciplined, responsible citizens without bias or prejudice.
5. Under the focused and visionary leadership of the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike,(CON), Education in the FCT has been placed on the front burner. The ongoing massive renovation, reconstruction, and accelerated rehabilitation of Schools, coupled with the provision of infrastructure and ICT facilities across all Six six Area Councils, is a testament to this unwavering commitment.
6. The FCT Education Secretariat, under the watchful supervision of the Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo and his Management Team have continue to implement a robust monitoring and feedback mechanism to ensure that FCT Schools remain Centers of Excellence, discipline, and inclusiveness.
7. Let it be clearly stated that such divisive and harmful narratives aimed at destabilizing our Education System and Creating religious tension will not be tolerated. The FCTA reserves the right to take legal and administrative action against individuals or groups propagating such falsehoods against its Schools or Territory .
We urge the Public, media, and stakeholders to disregard the viral voice note in its entirety and to rely only on verified information from official FCTA sources.
Signed:
Kabiru Musa
Head, Information/ PR Unit , Education Secretariat,
Federal Capital Territory Administration
May 31st, 2025.
