BY NGOZI A. NWANKWO
Barely one month after shutting down 47 Federal Unity Secondary Schools across the country following gunmen attacks, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding students and ensuring the continuity of education nationwide, with the reopening of the affected Unity Colleges.
Announcing the reopening of the schools on Thursday in Abuja, the Ministry of Education said the decision followed the strengthening of security architecture within and around the affected schools. He added that academic activities have fully resumed, with students returning safely to their campuses, with many currently concluding their December academic programmes, while others have successfully completed their examinations.
It would be recalled that on November 17, 2025, gunmen invaded Kebbi High School and kidnapped 25 students, during which the school’s vice principal was shot dead and a security guard injured.
On November 20, 2025, there was another abduction involving more than 300 pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Niger State.
Alarmed by the spate of abductions in Nigerian schools, particularly in the northern parts of the country, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed the closure of 47 Unity Colleges to safeguard students from further attacks.
The directive was issued through a circular dated November 21, 2025, by the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the document, the Minister approved the shutdown following “recent security challenges” in parts of the country and the need to prevent breaches.
The circular directed principals of the affected schools to enforce the closure without delay. The 47 schools are spread across states in the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South.
The Federal Ministry of Education, however, assured parents, guardians, and the general public that the safety, welfare, and well-being of students remain a top priority. It stated that the government continues to work closely with relevant security agencies to sustain stability and restore normalcy in school environments nationwide.
“The Federal Government remains resolute in its responsibility to protect every Nigerian child and to uphold their fundamental right to education in a safe and secure environment.
“This administration places strong emphasis on human capital development and recognises education as a critical pillar for national growth and development. Accordingly, it remains determined to prevent any disruption to the academic calendar. The safe return of students and the successful conduct of examinations in several Unity Colleges underscore the government’s resolve to keep learning on track despite prevailing challenges.
“The Federal Ministry of Education appreciates the cooperation, patience, and support of parents, school administrators, and students, and reiterates its commitment to sustaining a secure, stable, and uninterrupted education system across the nation,” the statement said.
It would be recalled that the closures were prompted by increased terrorist attacks and abductions targeting boarding schools, especially in northern Nigeria. The Federal Government Girls College in Kebbi State was among the first to be attacked, with the abduction of over 24 students and the killing of a school vice principal.
The Kebbi incident was followed by a similar abduction of over 315 pupils and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Kontagora area of Niger State, a development that forced the Federal Government and several Northern states to order the closure of Unity and state-owned schools in the affected zones.