The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges across the country due to escalating security threats, particularly following recent mass abductions of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger States.

This decisive action was announced in a circular dated November 21, 2025, signed by Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, and addressed to the principals of the affected schools.

The closure is a direct response to the deteriorating security situation in multiple regions, where kidnappings and attacks on students have raised serious concerns about the safety of pupils and staff. The affected Unity Colleges, also known as Federal Government Colleges, form a critical part of Nigeria’s secondary education framework. However, the government cited the need to prevent further security breaches as paramount, reflecting the gravity of the threat to educational institutions.

The circular explicitly stated, “Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges with immediate effect.” The immediate compliance of principals was mandated to ensure the safety of students until further notice.

This security crisis has had profound real-life impacts, disrupting the academic calendar, displacing students and families, and heightening anxiety among parents and educators nationwide. The closures affect states predominantly in the northern and central regions, where banditry, kidnappings, and insurgency have surged, notably triggering over 50 school closures recently in Kwara State alone.

Experts on education and security emphasize that these measures, while drastic, highlight the challenging balance between maintaining uninterrupted education and ensuring students’ protection. They advocate for a multi-layered approach involving enhanced security deployment, community engagement, and integration of technology such as CCTV surveillance and biometric systems in schools to mitigate risks.

Eyewitnesses and parents express mixed feelings—relief in the protection of their children but concern over the indefinite disruption of education. Advocacy groups urge swift government action to restore safe learning environments and support for affected students, including psychological counseling and alternative learning arrangements.

In summary, the Federal Government’s closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges underscores a critical security dilemma facing Nigeria’s education sector. The immediate priority remains the protection of students against kidnappings and violence, but the government is also tasked with designing sustainable solutions to resume academic activities safely. Stakeholders await further updates on the conditions and timeline for reopening, alongside enhanced security measures to secure Nigeria’s learning institutions against future threats.