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Governors in Northern Nigeria have directed the immediate closure of schools following a renewed surge in abductions targeting educational institutions across the region. The directive, issued after a series of coordinated attacks, has forced thousands of students and staff to vacate their campuses for safety.
A visit by News Central to affected schools revealed deserted classrooms, locked dormitories, and near-empty compounds as the temporary shutdown took effect. At the Federal Government Girls’ College, Kabba, in Kogi State, the school premises were largely abandoned, with staff confirming that learners had been instructed to return home indefinitely.
In Federal Government College, Ilorin, the situation was similar. All students and most staff had left the facility by the weekend, following heightened security concerns and the regional directive.
At the Federal Government Academy, Suleja, Niger State, staff told News Central that the school vacated on Saturday, 22 November. This followed a Federal Government order issued on Friday mandating the temporary closure of 41 unity schools across the country. The decision came as abductions continued to rise, prompting urgent measures to protect students and reassess security arrangements.
However, News Central observed a different situation at Federal Government College, Ogbomosho, Oyo State. The school remains in session but operates under tight security, with heavy restrictions on movement within and around the premises. Journalists were not granted access during the visit, indicating an intensified security protocol.
Also in Kano State, parents were denied entry to the Federal Government Girls College, Minjibir on Monday after panic erupted within the school premises. A community leader who addressed the situation at the gate urged the public to remain calm, stressing that there was no cause for alarm. He assured parents and residents that the situation was under control and advised them not to panic.
Northern states where some schools have reportedly closed include: Kebbi, Katsina, Yobe, Kwara, Niger, Taraba, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau and Sokoto.
The shutdown has sparked widespread concern among parents, teachers, and education stakeholders, who fear the long-term impact on academic activities. Authorities have assured the public that the closures are temporary and aimed at enabling security agencies to stabilise the situation.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has refuted widespread claims that it ordered the nationwide closure of schools from 24 November, describing the reports as fake news.
The rumour, which circulated on Friday, 21 November, alleged that the government had mandated the immediate shutdown of 47 Federal Unity Colleges following recent kidnapping incidents in Niger and Kebbi states.
In a statement issued on its official X account, the Federal Ministry of Education clarified that “the report is false, misleading, and not issued by the federal government.”
The ministry’s spokesperson, Boriowo Folashade, who signed the statement, urged Nigerians to disregard the rumour, stressing that the information “did not originate from the government.”
State governments and federal authorities say they are working together to strengthen security around schools and prevent further attacks as the region grapples with persistent threats to education.
