The Niger State government has approved the reopening of public and private schools across the state following months of closure.
Recall that Umar Bago, governor of the state, had ordered the shutdown of all schools after the abduction of about 230 pupils, students, and staff of St. Mary Catholic School.
In a statement on Saturday, Hadiza Mohammed, commissioner of basic and secondary education, said the reopening of schools will take effect from January 12, 2026.
The commissioner explained that all abducted pupils, students, and staff were rescued in December 2025 after spending weeks in captivity.
She said the decision to reopen schools was taken after thorough security evaluation and wide consultations with security agencies.
According to her, the move aligns with Bago’s commitment to protecting lives while ensuring that children in Niger State continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to education.
Mohammed clarified that schools located in communities considered unsafe will not resume for now.
She added that relevant security agencies are currently assessing such schools to determine their readiness before the scheduled reopening date.