The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has allocated substantial resources to the education sector in recent years. Between 2023 and early 2025, the FCTA spent approximately ₦200 billion on education, with ₦100 billion dedicated to renovating existing schools and building new structures. Similarly, the Bwari Area Council’s budgetary allocation of over ₦50 billion in the past five years had a significant portion earmarked for education.
Yet, despite these huge investments, the education crisis in rural communities remains alarming. A visit by Safer-Media Initiative (SMI) to three rural communities—Dnako, Gyeyidna, and Dokuma—uncovered the harsh realities faced by pupils, teachers, and parents. Behind the natural beauty of these serene villages lie crumbling educational infrastructures, systemic neglect, and escalating security challenges that threaten not only the future of these children but also the safety of their communities.
Dnako
Dnako community, located a few kilometers from Bwari town, carries a heavy burden. When SMI visited, the village was still mourning a tragic incident. On March 11, 2025, armed kidnappers invaded the village, abducting nine individuals, including the village head and his grandchildren. Days later, the lifeless body of the village head was found in Kaduna State, while the community continues to struggle to raise ₦65 million for the release of the remaining captives.
Amidst this crisis, life must go on, including the education of the children. But LEA Primary School in Dnako, built in 2009 by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), is barely functional. For over three years, its ceilings have been deteriorating, exposing pupils to rainwater and creating an environment that is far from conducive to learning.
Aisha Musa, whose son is in Primary 3, expressed her frustration:
"I worry every time it rains. The classrooms are in such a bad state that water leaks through the roof, soaking the children and their books. My son has fallen sick more than once because he sat in wet clothes for hours. We have complained several times, but nothing has been done."
Another parent, James Bako, whose daughter is in Primary 5, echoed her concerns:
"It's heartbreaking to see our children learning in such terrible conditions. The ceilings are falling apart, and when the wind blows, dust and debris fall into the classrooms. How can they concentrate in such an environment? We send them to school hoping for a better future, but the situation is discouraging."
Fatima Abdullahi, a mother of two pupils, spoke through an interpreter in Hausa:
"My biggest fear is that one day, part of the ceiling will collapse on the children. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. We parents have tried to raise the issue, but it feels like no one is listening. Our children deserve better than this."
The headmaster, Danjuma Yohanna, spoke on the dire situation:
"We have about 78 pupils, but this issue is affecting the learners seriously. We need government intervention urgently. The community has done its best, but we need help. We also lack desks, chairs, boards, and water supply."
Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman, David Gyiwodeyi, further lamented the burden the community bears:
"We spent ₦500,000 two years ago and ₦600,000 last year to repair the school, all from parents' contributions. But the kidnappers' ransom demand and the school’s condition have overwhelmed us. Where can we find ₦65 million?"
Gyeyidna: Another story of decay and neglect
Gyeyidna community, just a short distance away, presents a similar story of decay and neglect. The LEA Primary School, constructed in 2012 by UBEC, now suffers from collapsing ceilings and insufficient resources. The school’s problems, however, began at its inception, as poor construction quality led to a slow but steady degradation of its infrastructure.
Musa Patience, a Primary 4 teacher, explained to SMI reporter. She said:
"The loose zinc creates noise during heavy winds, distracting teaching and learning. Almost all the ceilings are dropping. We worry about the safety of the pupils."
With only 100 pupils enrolled, the school struggles to retain enrollment as families lose faith in the education system. The situation is exacerbated by the disrepair of toilet facilities and the breakdown of the school’s borehole, forcing children to resort to open defecation—a practice that poses severe health risks.
Public health data paints a grim picture
Open defecation remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, with approximately 48 million individuals engaging in the practice as of 2021. This lack of sanitation contributes to the deaths of over 100,000 children under the age of five annually due to diarrheal diseases.
Dokuma: Neglect and Exodus
Dokuma, located in Kawu ward, stands as a good example of systemic abandonment. Security challenges in the region have driven many residents to flee, depriving the community of its youth and workforce. Residents who spoke with SMI recounted the area’s struggles:
The ward has recorded over 37 kidnapping incidents, with more than 200 people abducted and 27 killed. Fear grips the community, as families abandon their homes, leaving behind broken schools and shattered dreams.
David Yakubu, a native of Dokuma, described the situation:
"All the schools are dilapidated, with no infrastructure. It’s as if you are not in the FCT. The primary school remains in ruins despite repeated appeals to the area council and representatives. Children sit on the floor, lacking seats and comfort."
LEA Primary School headmaster, Usuman Dogo, corroborated these concerns:
"The ceiling and zincs are falling off, disrupting classes during rainy seasons. With 71 pupils, the lack of proper seating affects their learning experience."
Millions Allocated, Yet Little Impact
Despite the glaring neglect in these communities, data reveals that substantial financial resources have been allocated to education in the FCT. Between 2015 and 2018, the federal government released ₦350 billion to states and the FCT to enhance basic education. These funds were intended for the construction of classrooms, provision of instructional materials, and teacher training programs.
In December 2024, the FCTA committed $1.05 billion (about ₦177 billion) to develop educational infrastructure. This investment included a ₦3.5 billion counterpart fund from UBEC aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps, enhancing teacher development, and expanding access to quality education across the FCT.
However, despite these enormous financial commitments, the situation on the ground tells a different story. As of December 2023, states and the FCT had not accessed approximately ₦68.7 billion in matching grants available since 2005. These unclaimed funds highlight fundamental issues in fund utilization and the continued struggle to address Nigeria’s high number of out-of-school children.
The Human Cost of Neglect
An education expert, who is also a consultant to the government, spoke off the record. He stated that the conditions in these schools reflect broader systemic failures that plague rural communities in the FCT.
"The absence of basic infrastructure, compounded by insecurity, undermines the education and future of these children. Kidnapping incidents have not only claimed lives but also disrupted community development. Funds that could be used to renovate schools or improve living conditions are diverted to pay ransoms, leaving residents in a constant state of fear and vulnerability."
SMI observed that parents, teachers, and community leaders have shown remarkable resilience, often taking on financial burdens to maintain their schools. Yet, their efforts remain insufficient against the systemic neglect they face.
Official Response
At the time of filing this report, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, Secretary, Education Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), could not be reached to explain how the claimed ₦200 billion spent by the FCT administration on education from 2023 to date has impacted rural schools.
This report is produced by Safer-Media Initiative with the support of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under The Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, inclusivity and Accountability Project (C-Media Project) funded by the MacArthur Foundation.