By HAN News Desk
ABUJA — Nigeria has reopened all 47 Federal Unity Colleges that were temporarily shut due to worsening insecurity and a surge in mass school kidnappings, government officials said, as authorities moved to restore normal academic activities across the country.
The schools, which are spread across multiple states and serve students from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, were closed earlier this year following a series of attacks on educational institutions by armed groups. The decision to shut them was taken as a precautionary measure to protect students and staff amid rising concerns over safety.
Officials said the reopening follows the implementation of enhanced security measures, including the deployment of armed security personnel to school premises, installation of surveillance systems, and improved coordination between school administrators, local communities, and security agencies. In some areas, perimeter fencing and controlled access points have also been reinforced.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Education said the move demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to education while addressing security threats. “Closing schools cannot be a long-term solution,” a ministry official said. “Our priority is to protect learners and ensure that education continues safely.”
Parents and school administrators welcomed the reopening but urged the government to maintain heightened security and avoid complacency. Some families expressed concern that without sustained protection, schools could again become targets for kidnappings or attacks.
Nigeria has experienced repeated mass abductions of students over the past several years, particularly in the northern and central regions, where armed groups have targeted schools for ransom. These incidents have disrupted education for thousands of children and drawn international condemnation.
Security analysts say the reopening of the Federal Unity Colleges is a critical test of the government’s ability to balance safety and access to education. They warn that long-term solutions will require not only physical security measures but also broader efforts to address insecurity, including tackling armed groups, improving intelligence gathering, and strengthening community-based protection systems.
For now, authorities say they will closely monitor the situation as students return to classrooms, while reiterating that safeguarding education remains a national priority.
