FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is facing accusations of hypocrisy after publicly celebrating his son Joaquin’s recent graduation with an MSc in Management and Technology Change from King’s College London, United Kingdom.
The development has revived criticism over Wike’s past statements condemning Nigerians particularly those studying law abroad and his decision as Rivers State Governor to scrap a foreign scholarship program.
In a 2015 interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, shortly after assuming office as Rivers Governor, Wike argued that certain courses, especially law, should be pursued locally in Nigeria. He maintained that public funds should not be used to send students abroad for programs available domestically, a position that led to the discontinuation of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) foreign scholarship scheme initiated by his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi. The move reportedly stranded many Rivers indigenes overseas, forcing some to return home and causing significant hardship for affected families.
Social media users have resurfaced the old video amid Wike’s celebratory post on his official Facebook page. He wrote, “Grateful to God for giving me, my wife and children the opportunity to be available to share with my son, Joaquin, his moment of joy as he earned MSc Degree in Management and Technology Change at King’s College London, today.”
Wike thanked political associates who joined him for the ceremony in London, including Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, and PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South) Chief Dan Orbih.
Critics, including Port Harcourt-based youth activist Charles Jaja, have labeled the situation hypocritical, “Years back, former Governor Wike pulled out all Rivers children sent abroad to study at various foreign universities by Rotimi Amaechi’s administration, claiming that Amaechi wasted Rivers money in sending those children abroad to study courses that could be offered here in Nigeria. Today, he is celebrating the graduation of his own son in the UK, where he studied law. Is this not hypocrisy?” Jaja questioned why Wike did not have his son study at a Nigerian institution like Rivers State University, accusing him of inflicting “a complete injustice” on students whose opportunities were curtailed.
The controversy intensified as Wike’s UK trip coincided with an indefinite strike by FCT workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), who shut down government offices in Abuja over unpaid wage awards, promotion arrears, pension issues, and poor conditions.
Despite the industrial action paralyzing services, Wike attended the graduation, drawing further backlash.
