The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has faced widespread criticism following his celebration of his son’s graduation from a foreign university, where he studied law.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, shared the joyous occasion on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, sparking backlash from critics, particularly Rivers residents. Many accused him of hypocrisy, recalling his controversial decision as governor in 2015 to discontinue the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) scholarship program, which supported students studying abroad.
The RSSDA scholarship program, initiated by Wike’s predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, was aimed at providing Rivers youths with international educational opportunities. However, the program became dormant during Wike’s tenure, leaving many students stranded and families in distress.
Critics argue that while Wike denied these opportunities to others, he funded his own son’s education abroad.
An old video of Wike on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily has resurfaced, in which he criticized sending students abroad to study courses like law, which he believed could be pursued in Nigeria. Critics pointed out the irony, as his son studied the same course overseas.
Charles Jaja, a Port Harcourt-based youth activist, described Wike’s actions as hypocritical. He said:
“Wike pulled out all Rivers children studying abroad under Amaechi’s administration, claiming it was a waste of resources. Now, he celebrates his son’s UK graduation. Why didn’t he allow his son to study law here in Rivers State University or any other Nigerian university?”
Jaja added that Wike’s decision to cancel the scholarship program deprived many students of fulfilling their dreams and labeled the situation as an “injustice.”
Wike’s celebration has reignited discussions on the inequality in access to education, with many calling it a betrayal of Rivers residents who were affected by the suspension of the scholarship program. Some critics also accused him of disregarding the struggles of students who had to return to Nigeria under difficult circumstances.
The controversy has drawn comments from other public figures, including youth activists and political commentators, who question Wike’s commitment to the principles he once publicly defended.
