A wave of mass school closures has swept across northern Nigeria as state governments scramble to contain escalating attacks on educational institutions.
Yobe, Kwara, Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau, Sokoto, Katsina, Niger, and Taraba states have announced sweeping shutdowns or heightened security measures following a series of violent incidents and kidnappings.
Governor Mai Mala Buni ordered the immediate shutdown of all boarding secondary schools after a state security meeting reviewed threats across all 17 LGAs.
Mohammed Mamman, the governor’s spokesperson, said the action followed a formal notice from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
He quoted the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Bukar Aji Bukar, saying all secondary schools must remain closed until the security situation improves.
Buni urged residents to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security agencies as efforts to stabilise the state continue.
In Kwara, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq introduced enhanced security around schools and worship centres following an attack at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, where six worshippers were killed and 30 abducted.
A senior government official revealed that some measures remain confidential due to their sensitivity.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers confirmed that schools in Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti LGAs were instructed to close immediately.
State NUT Chairman, Yusuf Agboola said schools were ordered to treat the directive with utmost urgency.
In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf approved the deployment of 1,600 watchmen across public secondary schools.
The move followed the abduction of 25 girls and the killing of a vice-principal in neighbouring Kebbi State.
Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, said the new recruits would help restore discipline and ensure daily school activities run safely.
Kebbi State closed schools in communities affected by recent attacks.
Special Adviser Abdullahi Idris Zuru said the government inherited serious banditry challenges but has since assisted military operations with improved logistics.
Schools in both urban and rural areas are now under continuous joint surveillance by the army, police, vigilantes, and DSS operatives.
Kaduna State sustained its implementation of the Safe Schools Policy, which includes risk mapping, community engagement, and improved coordination with security agencies.
Patrols around vulnerable communities have been enhanced, and emergency response mechanisms activated.
The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board ordered the closure of basic schools after intelligence reports indicated potential threats.
Affected schools are to remain shut pending strengthened security arrangements.
A parent in Shendam said students were dismissed following threat reports, though local police claimed they had not received such intel.
Sokoto State reaffirmed its policy of relocating all boarding schools to urban centres.
Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Ibrahim Alhassan, said the recent Kebbi abduction stalled earlier plans to return schools to their original rural locations.
Katsina State, which has recorded hundreds of abductions since 2020, has intensified physical security through community-based child protection committees.
Some schools now have fencing, guards, and trained dogs. Psychosocial support programmes and teacher training are ongoing.
Niger State shut boarding schools in insecure areas after receiving credible intelligence of impending attacks.
Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, disclosed that St. Mary’s Secondary School reopened without official clearance before Friday’s kidnapping incident, leaving pupils vulnerable.
Security agencies have launched rescue operations.
In Taraba, Governor Agbu Kefas directed all secondary schools, public and private, to close their boarding facilities due to rising abductions.
Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, said the security trend has made boarding students especially vulnerable.
At the national level, the Federal Ministry of Education ordered the temporary closure of 44 Unity Colleges due to mounting security concerns.
Minister Tunji Alausa approved the directive, and a revised list corrected duplicated entries.
The shutdowns follow a series of mass abductions in Kebbi and Niger States, where dozens of students were taken in separate attacks.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu, has appealed for public cooperation as military operations intensify across affected regions.
