FG Shuts 47 Unity Colleges Nationwide Over Escalating Security Threats

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of 47 Federal Unity Colleges across the country following rising security threats and a series of recent attacks targeting schools, students, and teachers in several states.

The directive, issued by the Federal Ministry of Education on Friday, instructed principals of the affected colleges to suspend academic activities and release students to their parents without delay.

According to an internal circular signed by Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, the closure is a precautionary measure aimed at preventing “possible security breaches” amid worsening incidents of school abductions and violent attacks in the northern and north-central regions.

The order follows a disturbing wave of kidnappings and attacks on educational institutions, including the abduction of over 200 students and staff from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State and the kidnapping of 25 female students from a unity college in Kebbi State earlier this week.

Security agencies have repeatedly warned that some Federal Government colleges located in high-risk areas are being profiled by bandit groups, prompting the urgent measure to relocate students away from potential danger.

Schools Affected

Although the full list varies slightly across reports, the affected schools include several colleges in:

Kano

Zamfara

Kaduna

Kebbi

Niger

Sokoto

Bauchi

Katsina

FCT outskirts

These areas have recorded increased activities of bandits, insurgents, and kidnappers in recent months.

Parents React With Concern

Parents and guardians have expressed fear and frustration as the sudden closure disrupts academic calendars and examinations. Many emphasised the need for the government to implement long-term security measures, not just emergency shutdowns.

Civil society groups also urged the government to activate the Safe Schools Initiative, which aims to fortify vulnerable institutions with surveillance, fencing, trained security personnel, and early warning systems.

Government Assures Temporary Closure

The Ministry of Education clarified that the shutdown is temporary and that schools will reopen once security agencies confirm that risks have been sufficiently reduced.

A senior ministry official said the priority is “saving lives, not maintaining a calendar,” insisting that student safety will determine the timing of resumption.

Background

Nigeria has suffered repeated attacks on schools in the last decade, especially in the North. The Chibok (2014), Dapchi (2018), Tegina (2021), and Mairuwa (2023) abductions remain painful reminders of the country’s vulnerability.

Recent intelligence reports point to renewed attempts by criminal groups to target institutions that house large numbers of students.