THE Federal Government has announced the reopening of 47 federal unity schools that were previously shut down due to security concerns.
The decision was disclosed today in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, which said the move followed the strengthening of security measures within and around the affected schools.
According to the ministry, academic activities have now fully resumed across the reopened colleges. Students have returned safely to their campuses, with many currently wrapping up their December academic programmes, while others have already completed their examinations.
The statement, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Boriowo Folasade, said the reopening reflects the government’s firm commitment to protecting students and ensuring uninterrupted access to education.
Parents, guardians and the general public were assured that the safety, welfare and well-being of students remain a top priority.
The ministry added that the government is working closely with relevant security agencies to maintain stability and restore normalcy in school environments nationwide.
Reaffirming its position, the Federal Government stated that it remains committed to safeguarding every Nigerian child and upholding their right to education in a safe and secure setting.
It stressed that education remains central to human capital development and national growth, noting that the administration is determined to prevent further disruptions to the academic calendar.
The ministry further noted that the safe return of students and the successful conduct of examinations in several unity schools highlight the government’s resolve to keep learning on track despite ongoing security challenges.
The unity schools were initially closed on November 21 following rising insecurity and a spate of mass abductions across parts of the country.
The closure affected 41 federal unity colleges across the North-West, North-East, North-Central and some southern states, after principals were directed to shut down their schools immediately.
The shutdown followed renewed attacks on schools, including the abduction of over 300 pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, and the kidnapping of more than 20 schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
The incidents were part of a broader resurgence of school abductions, recalling similar attacks dating back to the 2014 Chibok abductions in Borno State.
In response to the escalating threats, President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to coordinate rescue operations, while also postponing planned foreign trips as security concerns intensified across northern Nigeria.