KEY POINTS

• The federal government has ordered the reopening of all Unity Colleges closed over security fears

• Authorities say security agencies are working closely with schools to ensure student safety

• The education ministry says the academic calendar will remain intact despite the earlier shutdown

Nigeria’s federal government has directed the immediate reopening of all Unity Colleges that were closed last month amid escalating security concerns, saying measures are now in place to safeguard students and prevent further disruption to learning.

The decision reverses a shutdown imposed in November, when authorities ordered the closure of about 44 federal secondary schools following a series of attacks by armed groups.

At the time, three schools were targeted within a month and hundreds of students were abducted, prompting fears over the safety of pupils and staff.

In a statement on Thursday, the education ministry said the reopening was aimed at ensuring that no child is denied access to education because of insecurity, while reassuring parents and the wider public that student safety remains a priority.

Security assurances as students return

Boriowo Folasade, the ministry’s spokesperson, said the government had intensified collaboration with security agencies to protect schools and maintain a safe learning environment across the affected locations.

According to Daily Post, she said the welfare and well-being of students had been central to the decision, adding that steps taken since the closures have helped stabilise conditions in and around the schools.

The ministry also sought to allay concerns about academic disruption, saying the academic calendar would not be distorted by the temporary shutdown and that arrangements were in place to ensure a smooth return to classes and examinations.

“The federal government has reaffirmed its responsibility to protect every Nigerian child and to uphold their constitutional right to education in a secure setting,” the statement said. “The decision to reopen the Unity Colleges reflects the administration’s determination to ensure that no child is denied access to education due to security concerns.”

Education, the ministry added, remains a core pillar of the government’s human capital development agenda and a key driver of long-term national growth.

Officials pointed to the successful return of students and the orderly conduct of examinations in some Unity Colleges that had already resumed activities as evidence that the measures being put in place are working.

The ministry thanked school administrators, parents and students for their patience and cooperation during the period of closure, while urging continued vigilance as the schools reopen nationwide.