The Federal Ministry of Education has disowned a viral circular claiming that students of Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria had been granted an additional three-week holiday.
The Ministry said the document was fabricated and did not originate from the Federal Ministry of Education. It reaffirmed that Monday, 14 September 2026 remained the approved resumption date for all Federal Unity Colleges.
Official position: There was no Federal Government directive extending the holiday or moving resumption to 4 October 2026.
What did the fake circular claim?
The fake document was dated 8 September 2026 and carried the reference number:
FME/SS/UNI/2026/128
It claimed that resumption had been moved from September to 4 October 2026.
The Ministry said that reference and directive were fraudulent.
Another sign that the circular was fake
The document also carried the name and signature of “Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Garba” as Permanent Secretary.
The Ministry clarified that this was incorrect and that its Acting Permanent Secretary at the time was Dr. Mrs. Folake Olatunji David.
That was one of the clearest indications that the document was not an authentic Federal Ministry of Education circular.
What parents and students should do
The Ministry advised the public to disregard the fake document and avoid forwarding unverified school-resumption information.
Before acting on any supposed Federal Ministry of Education circular, check:
- whether the announcement appears on an official government website;
- whether it is published through the Ministry's established communication channels;
- whether the names and positions of officials are correct;
- whether reputable news organisations are reporting the same official announcement; and
- whether the document contains suspicious dates, signatures or reference numbers.
The Ministry specifically urged parents, students and school administrators to verify official information before making decisions based on documents circulating on social media.
Why fake school circulars are a problem
False school announcements can cause real disruption.
A parent who believes a fake resumption notice may delay a child's return to school. A school administrator may have to spend time correcting rumours, while students may miss classes or planned academic activities.
This is why official confirmation matters, especially when a document circulates widely on WhatsApp, Facebook or other social platforms.
Official source
The Federal Government's official information platform published the Ministry's clarification on 12 September 2026.
Official statement:
FME Disowns Fake Circular on Three-Week Holiday
Federal Ministry of Education:
education.gov.ng
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