Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has ordered the immediate lifting of the suspension of two head teachers who were indefinitely suspended by the state's Ministry of Education over alleged gross misconduct.
The education ministry had suspended the teachers after a viral video exposed the dire conditions in which pupils were learning. The footage showed classrooms with unfinished block walls, inadequate learning materials, and crumbling infrastructure. The head teachers were accused of being behind the video, which sparked widespread online criticism of the state's education system.
The governor's decision came after the matter gained significant traction on social media platforms. Leo Oketa, his Special Assistant on New Media, released a statement on Thursday saying Nwifuru had reviewed reports and discussions circulating online and decided to reverse the suspension.
In the statement, the governor said his administration remains committed to the welfare of teachers and pupils, and to improving learning conditions across Ebonyi schools. He pointed to ongoing massive school building projects at Community Primary School Unwuigboke and Community Primary School Unwuezeali, both in Oriuzor, as evidence of efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure.
Nwifuru acknowledged that some communities still face infrastructural challenges but said his government is working to address them progressively. "All needs cannot be met at the same time," the statement read. He also thanked citizens and media organisations for drawing attention to the issue and reiterated his administration's commitment to quality education and the well-being of Ebonyi people.
The reversal comes less than two weeks after the suspension, which many had criticised as unfair to the teachers. The head teachers are now expected to return to their duties while the government continues its school rehabilitation programme across the state.
