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.
