The Federal Government has reopened all 47 Federal Unity Colleges that were shut earlier amid rising insecurity, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding students and ensuring continuity of education across the country.

In a statement, the government said the schools were reopened earlier this month following the strengthening of security architecture within and around the affected campuses. Academic activities have now fully resumed, with students returning safely to school.

“After the strengthening of security architecture within and around the affected schools, academic activities have fully resumed,” the statement said. It added that while many students are currently concluding their December academic programmes, others have already successfully completed their examinations.

The Federal Ministry of Education assured parents, guardians and the general public that “the safety, welfare, and well-being of students remain a top priority,” noting that the government is working closely with relevant security agencies to sustain stability and restore normalcy in school environments nationwide.

Mass kidnappings

The reopening follows a wave of school kidnappings and attacks on educational institutions, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria, which had heightened fears among parents and led authorities to close some Unity Colleges as a precautionary measure.

Armed groups, in recent months, have targeted boarding schools, abducting students and staff, sometimes for ransom, and forcing disruptions to academic activities.

Those incidents underscored persistent security challenges facing schools and renewed concerns about the safety of students, especially in boarding facilities. The Federal Government said the temporary closures were aimed at preventing further attacks while security measures were reviewed and reinforced.

Reiterating its broader responsibility, the government said it “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 also highlighted the administration’s emphasis on human capital development, describing education as “a critical pillar for national growth and development.” It said the government remains determined to prevent disruptions to the academic calendar despite prevailing security challenges.

According to the ministry, “the safe return of students and the successful conduct of examinations in several Unity Colleges underscore the Government’s resolve to keep learning on track despite prevailing challenges.”