Insecurity Paralyses Nigerian Educational System
OpenLife News reports that at least 65 primary and secondary schools have been shut or rendered non-functional by insecurity across northern Nigeria, Sunday Vanguard findings show, leaving thousands of children without access to classrooms.
The closures cut across Sokoto, Benue, Plateau, Borno, Kaduna and Kebbi, with disruptions also reported in Katsina, Adamawa and Yobe.
The shutdowns have been triggered by terrorist and bandit attacks, abductions, displacement of communities and fear of further attacks on pupils and teachers.
In some communities, schools have remained closed for prolonged periods. In others, authorities merged schools or moved students to safer locations.
Sokoto: 20 LGAs Affected
Sokoto has recorded one of the worst disruptions. Schools in 20 of 23 LGAs have been shut indefinitely following a Federal Government directive, according to Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof Ahmad Ladan Ala. Only Sokoto North, Sokoto South and Wamakko were exempted.
14 schools identified include Government Secondary School Tureta, GSS Tangaza, GGSS Bodinga, GGSS Tambuwal, Government Technical College Goronyo and others.ANCOPE President Muhammad Ikililu said boarding schools were moved to the state capital under ex-Gov Tambuwal and some remain closed.
ADC governorship candidate Manir Muhammad Dan’iya called it a “major setback to education and human capital development.”
Benue: 35 Schools Identified
In Benue, repeated attacks forced the closure of schools across Kwande, Gwer West, Guma and Logo LGAs. 35 schools were listed, including LGEA NKST Science Primary School Anyiin, RCM Primary School Igbur, NKST Primary School Abeda-Shitile and others.Residents said many pupils have dropped out after families fled to safer locations.
Borno: Abductions Force New Closures
Renewed attacks disrupted schooling in Askira-Uba LGA. Mussa Junior and Primary School was shut after over 40 pupils were abducted. Lassa Secondary School was also shut after over 30 students were abducted.
LGA Chairman Mada Saidu confirmed 39 people including 3 teachers were affected. Borno was the epicenter of the 2014 Chibok abduction that birthed the Safe Schools Initiative.
Plateau, Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina
In Plateau, 7 schools in Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGAs were affected. Berom Youth Moulders said schools are often shut for over a week after attacks.
In Kaduna, Bethel High School and Greenfield University in Chikun remain associated with major abductions. Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru and others still face occasional disruptions.
In Kebbi, Government Girls Secondary School Maga in Danko/Wasagu remains shut after a deadly attack.In Katsina, schools in Batsari, Jibia, Kankara, Faskari and 5 other LGAs were closed. Authorities merged many with schools in safer communities.
144.8bn Safe Schools Plan Under Scrutiny
The closures persist despite the Safe Schools Initiative launched in 2014 after Chibok, with over $30 million mobilized. The Federal Government also launched a National Plan on Financing Safe Schools 2023-2026 worth N144.86 billion.
Breakdown: N32.58bn in 2023, N36.98bn in 2024, N37.15bn in 2025, N38.03bn in 2026.Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa told the Senate the Ministry has now created a dedicated Safe Schools Department and is working with NSA, DSS, Army and Police on fencing, solar lighting, security personnel and monitoring.
But the Senate has opened an investigation into the initiative’s financial and operational performance.
Wider Crisis: 188 Schools
A separate 2025 investigation documented 188 public schools shut across 6 northern states: 55 in Benue, 52 in Katsina, 39 in Zamfara, 30 in Niger, 6 in Sokoto and 6 in Kaduna.
Experts: “We Will Lose A Generation”
Education experts warn of long-term damage.COREG Chairman Dr Obini Onuchukwu said closures disrupt academic calendars and cause psychological trauma.
Delta State educationist Eloho Arhogho-Okeren: “The closure of schools does more than halt lessons. It halts futures… If we do not act now, we will not only lose a school year.
We will lose a generation.”Prof Al Chukwuma Okoli warned Nigeria’s 18.3 million out-of-school children figure could rise. He said unschooled youths risk recruitment by terrorists and bandits.
Psychologist Dr Sixtus Unigwe said children will struggle with concentration and truancy even after schools reopen.
ActionAid Nigeria Country Director Dr Andrew Mamedu called for practical implementation and alternative learning spaces for displaced children.
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