Wike Reinstates Education Boss and IRS Chief

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has officially reinstated two high-ranking officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) just weeks after their unexpected suspension. In a move that highlights the Minister’s rigorous approach to administrative discipline, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, the Mandate Secretary for Education, and Mr. Michael Ango, the Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), have been directed to resume their duties with immediate effect.

The announcement was made public on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, through a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka. According to the dispatch, the reinstatement serves as a tactical reset for the administration’s leadership in two critical sectors: education and revenue generation. The Minister reportedly emphasized that while the officials are returning to their posts, his administration maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of indiscipline or administrative lapses that could compromise the functionality of the capital city.

The backdrop of these reinstatements is rooted in a period of significant tension within the FCT’s educational sector. Dr. Hayyo had been suspended in late November following a controversial wave of reports suggesting that schools across the territory were being ordered to shut down early. These reports, which cited unspecified security concerns, caused widespread panic among parents and students. Although the FCTA’s Education Secretariat eventually issued a formal denial—clarifying that no such directive had been authorized to end the term by November 28—the breakdown in communication and the resulting public anxiety led to the swift disciplinary action against the Education Secretary.

Similarly, the return of Michael Ango to the helm of the FCT-IRS is seen as a move to stabilize the territory’s financial machinery. As the Acting Executive Chairman, Ango is tasked with the vital responsibility of driving independent revenue growth to fund the massive infrastructure projects currently spanning the city. His brief exit and subsequent return underscore the high-pressure environment under Wike’s leadership, where officials are held to strict standards of performance and public accountability.

As both men return to their offices this week, the message from the Minister’s office remains clear: the FCTA remains on a high alert for efficiency. Wike has consistently maintained that the rapid development of the FCT requires a “hands-on” cabinet, and this latest administrative reshuffle suggests that while he is willing to provide a second chance, the margin for error remains razor-thin. The focus now shifts back to the schools as they prepare for the new academic session and to the revenue agency as it enters the final fiscal push of the year.