The Federal Government on Friday ordered the immediate shutdown of 41 unity colleges following a fresh wave of student abductions in parts of the country, heightening concerns over school safety and national security.
The directive, issued through the Ministry of Education, marks one of the most sweeping school-closure decisions in recent years, reflecting the government’s alarm over escalating threats to learning institutions.
A statement signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, and released on behalf of the Honourable Minister, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, confirmed that the shutdown was a preventive measure aimed at avoiding further breaches.
According to Abdulkadir, the government could not risk leaving students exposed amid the resurgence of attacks by armed groups targeting schools, particularly across the North.
The statement instructed the principals of all affected unity colleges to evacuate students and enforce the closure without hesitation, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The list of affected schools spans several states, including FGGC Minjibir, FTC Ganduje, FGGC Zaria, FTC Kafanchan, FTC Dayi, FGC Daura and FGGC Tambuwal, reflecting a cluster of threats across the Northwest.
Also on the list are FSC Sokoto, FTC Wurno, FGC Gusau, FGC Anka, FGGC Gwandu and FGC Birnin Yauri—locations that have witnessed past security incidents linked to banditry and insurgency.
Further closures include FTC Zuru, FGGC Kazaure, FGC Kiyawa, FTC Hadejia, FGGC Bida, FGC New-Bussa and FTC Kuta-Shiroro, areas where previous attacks have prompted heightened surveillance.
In North Central states, FGA Suleja, FGC Ilorin, FGGC Omu-Aran and FTC Gwanara were ordered to close, signalling a widening perimeter of concern across the region.
The Southwest and Southeast remained largely unaffected, while schools such as FGGC Bakori, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Kabba and FTC Ogugu were also instructed to suspend academic activities.
Unity colleges in the Federal Capital Territory—FGGC Bwari, FGC Rubochi and FGGC Abaji—were not spared, as the government stressed that proximity to Abuja was no longer a guarantee of safety.
In the Northeast, FGC Potiskum, FGC Buni Yadi, FTC Gashua, FTC Michika, FGC Ganye and FGC Azare joined the list, many of which lie in areas long troubled by insurgent activities.
Other schools marked for immediate closure include FTC Misau, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Billiri and FTC Zambuk, bringing the total number of institutions affected to 41.
Security analysts note that the geographical spread of the closures highlights a disturbing pattern of coordinated attacks on educational facilities, especially in the Northwest, Northeast and parts of North Central Nigeria.
The government’s move comes just days after students were abducted from a school in Kebbi State, followed by another mass abduction in Niger State, triggering a national outcry and renewed calls for stronger protection of learning environments.
Parents, educators and child rights advocates have expressed deep concern over the situation, urging the government to deploy more security assets and accelerate ongoing reforms aimed at safeguarding schools across the federation.
