Peter Obi Criticizes Wike Over Neglect Of Abuja Pupils Amid Strike

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the federal government’s failure to end the ongoing strike that has kept public primary school pupils in Abuja out of classrooms for over three months.

Obi, in a statement posted via his X handle on Thursday, criticised the government for focusing on infrastructure renovations while children’s education suffers. He warned that ignoring education is a pathway to deepening national poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment.

“When the strike began, many believed it would be resolved in a matter of days given that it is happening in the Federal Capital Territory. But now, three months have passed, and children are still at home,” he said. “Meanwhile, we are busy renovating infrastructure as if that alone guarantees development.”

Obi stressed that while infrastructure has its place, true national progress stems from investment in human capital—particularly education. He referenced global data showing that countries with higher levels of education tend to be more developed.

He also pointed out that Nigeria is a signatory to both the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both of which emphasize education as a key development metric. Additionally, Nigeria’s own Universal Basic Education law mandates quality education for every child, yet Abuja’s public school pupils remain at home due to unresolved industrial action.

According to Obi, “The foundation of development is an educated population, not physical structures. If we fail to educate the next generation, we are only digging deeper into poverty and instability.”

He concluded by urging leaders to prioritise investment in basic education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation as the true pathway to building a prosperous Nigeria.