FG Announces Reopening Of 47 Unity Schools Weeks After Closure Over Insecurity

FG Announces Reopening of 47 Unity Schools Weeks After Closure Over Insecurity

In a significant development for Nigeria’s education sector, the Federal Government has officially announced the reopening of 47 Unity Schools that were previously shut down due to heightened insecurity across several regions.

This decision, disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Education on December 18, 2025, marks a turning point in the government’s efforts to safeguard students while ensuring continuity in academic activities.

The Ministry explained that the reopening followed the strengthening of security architecture within and around the affected schools. According to the statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, students have safely returned to their campuses, with many concluding their December academic programmes and others successfully completing examinations.

The government emphasized that the welfare, safety, and well-being of students remain a top priority, reaffirming its commitment to protect every Nigerian child and uphold their fundamental right to education in a secure environment.

This reopening comes just weeks after the Federal Government ordered the closure of 41 Unity Colleges on November 21, 2025, in response to rising security threats, including mass abductions of schoolchildren.

The closures affected schools across the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South, with incidents such as the abduction of over 300 pupils and teachers in Niger State and the kidnapping of more than 20 schoolgirls in Kebbi State underscoring the severity of the crisis.

President Bola Tinubu had directed urgent measures to address the escalating threats, including deploying the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to Kebbi State to oversee rescue operations. His administration postponed international trips to focus on restoring stability.

The reopening of the 47 schools is therefore seen as a demonstration of the government’s resolve to keep learning on track despite prevailing challenges.

The Ministry highlighted that the safe return of students and the successful conduct of examinations in several Unity Colleges reflect the resilience of Nigeria’s education system and the government’s determination to prevent disruptions to the academic calendar. It also reiterated that education remains a critical pillar for national growth and development, with human capital development at the core of the administration’s agenda.

This reopening is not only a relief for parents and guardians but also a symbolic reassurance that Nigeria’s education sector can withstand adversity. 

While insecurity remains a pressing concern, the government’s actions signal a renewed commitment to protecting schools and ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge continues uninterrupted.

The reopening of 47 Unity Schools after weeks of closure due to insecurity represents a cautious but hopeful step forward. It underscores the Federal Government’s balancing act between addressing national security challenges and safeguarding the future of its young citizens through uninterrupted education. The move is both a response to immediate threats and a reaffirmation of education as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s long-term development strategy.