Nigeria’s education sector has been jolted by a sweeping federal directive ordering the shutdown of 47 Unity Colleges, a drastic move aimed at shielding students and staff from the country’s escalating security crisis.
The decision, which has triggered growing concern among parents and education stakeholders, underscores the widening impact of nationwide insecurity on public institutions.
The federal government said the closures were necessitated by a spike in violent attacks targeting schools, especially across the northern region, where mass abductions have intensified in recent months.
A senior official at the Ministry of Education described the situation as “an unavoidable step to forestall imminent danger,” stressing that authorities could not “gamble with the safety of children.”
According to the circular announcing the shutdown, the approval came from Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, while the directive was issued through the director of senior secondary education, Binta Abdulkadir.
Principals of the affected colleges have been instructed to comply immediately, with evacuation and safeguarding measures expected to follow.
The 47 Unity Colleges span several northern and central states including:
FGGC MINJIBIR
FTC GANDUJE
FGGC ZARIA
FTC KAFANCHAN
FGGC BAKORI
FTC DAYI
FGC DAURA
FGGC TAMBUWAL
FSC SOKOTO
FTC WURNO
FGC GUSAU
FGC ANKA
FGGC GWANDU
FGC BIRNIN YAURI
FTC ZURU
FGGC KAZAURE
FGC KIYAWA
FTC HADEJA
FGGC BIDA
FGC NEW-BUSSA
FTC KUTA-SHIRORO
FGA SULEJA
FGC ILORIN
FGGC OMUARAN
FTC GWANARA
FGC UGWOLAWO
FGGC KABBA
FTC OGUGU
FGGC BWARI
FGC RUBOCHI
FGC ABAJI
FGGC KAZAURE
FGC KIYAWA
FTC HADEJIA
FGGC POTISKUM
FGC BUNI YADI
FTC GASHUA
FTC MICHIKA
FGC GANYE
FGC AZARE
FTC MISAU
FGGC BAJOGA
FGC BILLIRI
FTC ZAMBUK
FTC IKARE AKOKO
FTC IJEBU-IMUSIN
FTC USHI EKITI
The shutdown comes on the heels of two major abduction incidents recorded within one week in November.
Armed men stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State on November 17, abducting about 25 students and killing a vice-principal during the raid.
Just four days later, another group attacked St. Mary’s School, a Catholic school in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, carting away an undisclosed number of pupils.
Nigeria continues to grapple with a complex security crisis involving banditry, insurgency, and criminal gangs targeting schools for ransom.
The kidnapping of students, once a rare occurrence, has grown into a disturbing pattern that threatens not only education but national stability.
As the closures take effect, the federal government is expected to unveil further measures in the coming days.
Meanwhile, families, teachers, and students are left navigating yet another layer of uncertainty in a country where learning has increasingly become a risky endeavour.