The Federal Government has announced the reopening of 47 Federal Unity Colleges that were earlier shut down due to heightened security concerns across parts of the country.
The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday 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 in the reopened colleges, with students returning safely to their campuses.
“Following the reinforcement of security architecture within and around the affected schools, academic activities have fully resumed. Students have returned safely, with many currently concluding their December academic programmes, while others have successfully completed their examinations,” the statement, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, said.
The ministry reassured parents, guardians and the general public that the safety, welfare and well-being of students remain a top priority of the Federal Government.
It added that the government is working closely with relevant security agencies to sustain stability and ensure lasting normalcy across school environments nationwide.
“The Federal Government remains resolute in its responsibility to protect every Nigerian child and to uphold their fundamental right to education in a safe and secure environment,” the statement read.
The ministry noted that the administration places strong emphasis on human capital development and recognises education as a cornerstone of national growth, stressing its determination to prevent disruptions to the academic calendar.
It further stated that the safe return of students and the successful conduct of examinations in several unity colleges reflect the government’s resolve to keep learning on track despite prevailing security challenges.
Background: Rising Insecurity and School Closures
On November 21, the Federal Government ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges following escalating security threats and renewed cases of mass abductions.
The directive was conveyed through a circular dated November 21, 2025, issued by the Ministry of Education, instructing school principals to enforce the closure without delay.
The affected schools were spread across the North-West, North-East, North-Central and parts of the South. They included 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 and FGC Kiyawa.
Others were FTC Hadejia, FGGC Bida, FGC New-Bussa, FTC Kuta-Shiroro, FGA Suleja, FGC Ilorin, FGGC Omu-Aran, FTC Gwanara, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Kabba, FTC Ogugu, FGGC Bwari, FGC Rubochi, FGGC Abaji, FGGC Potiskum, FGC Buni Yadi, FTC Gashua, FTC Michika, FGC Ganye, FGC Azare, FTC Misau, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Billiri and FTC Zambuk.
Several state governments, including Yobe, Plateau and Bauchi, also announced the temporary closure of schools within their jurisdictions.
The shutdowns followed a surge in attacks on schools and mass abductions of students. In Niger State, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, abducting over 300 pupils and teachers.
In Kebbi State, more than 20 schoolgirls were kidnapped during an attack on a school in Maga town.
These incidents marked a continuation of a disturbing trend of school abductions dating back to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ kidnapping in Borno State.
In response to the worsening security situation, President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate temporarily to Kebbi State to oversee rescue and security operations.
The president also postponed planned trips to Johannesburg and Angola as the government intensified efforts to address the growing insecurity affecting schools, particularly in northern Nigeria.
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