School Term in FCT Extended to August 29
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has approved a five-week extension of the 2024/2025 third-term academic calendar for public primary schools in Abuja.
This decision follows the months-long disruption of learning caused by the indefinite strike action embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), which began on March 24, 2025, and lasted until July 9, 2025.
The extended closure significantly affected pupils in public primary schools across the six area councils, Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Kuje, Kwali, and Gwagwalada, prompting urgent steps by the government to recover lost instructional time.
In a circular dated July 23, 2025, and signed by the Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Dr. Alhassan Sule, the new directive mandates that schools remain in session from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 29, 2025.
The Minister of the FCT approved this extension to help bridge the learning gap created by the prolonged strike and stabilize the academic calendar before the commencement of a new session.
In addition to the calendar extension, the UBEB directed that an extra period be added each day for pupils in Primary 4 to 6, allowing them to recover portions of the curriculum missed during the strike.
The circular urged Education Secretaries to strictly enforce the directive and ensure all Head Teachers in public primary schools are duly informed.
This intervention reflects the government’s responsibility to protect and uphold the right of every child to education.
Every child deserves uninterrupted access to learning, and by taking steps to compensate for lost time, the FCT Administration is helping to safeguard that right and ensure that no child is left behind in their educational journey.
