Nigeria’s education sector is facing a growing crisis as worsening insecurity threatens the future of more than 52 million pupils and students across primary and secondary schools nationwide.
Rising cases of school attacks, kidnappings of learners and teachers, and fears over the safety of educational institutions have forced the closure of schools in several communities, disrupting learning and deepening concerns about the country’s already fragile education system.
With an estimated 15 million children already out of school, stakeholders warn that the situation could deteriorate further as over 80 pupils and teachers remain in captivity following recent attacks in Oyo and Borno states.
Data from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) show that Nigeria currently has more than 47 million pupils in basic education and over 5.5 million students in secondary schools. Education experts fear that the escalating insecurity poses a serious threat to the country’s 217,054 public and private schools.
Teachers, Students Demand Action
The growing security concerns triggered coordinated protests across the country yesterday as members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) took to the streets demanding urgent government intervention.
The demonstrations were held in Oyo, Borno, Lagos, Edo, Kano, Taraba, Ogun, Kwara, Plateau, Kebbi, Niger, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where protesters condemned the increasing attacks on schools and the abduction of students and teachers.
The unions called on federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to strengthen protection for schools and ensure the safe return of all abducted victims.
According to the NUT, continued insecurity could derail Nigeria’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which promotes quality education for all, while worsening the country’s out-of-school children crisis.
Schools No Longer Safe, NUT Warns
Speaking during the protest in Abuja, FCT NUT Chairman, Abdullahi Shafa, expressed concern over the growing wave of kidnappings affecting schools.
He noted that the trend has created fear among students, parents and education workers, while disrupting academic activities across several regions.
“Schools should remain safe spaces for learning and development. No child should have to choose between getting an education and staying alive,” he said.
Shafa urged the Federal Government to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve school security infrastructure, and fully implement the Safe School Initiative to safeguard learners and education personnel.
Oyo Abduction Sparks Outrage
In Oyo State, NUT, NLC and NANS members gathered at the Governor’s Office to protest the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
NANS President, Babatunde Afeez, described the kidnappers as “monsters” and called on Nigerians to unite against insecurity, insisting that all abducted victims must be rescued immediately.
Similar demonstrations took place in Kano, Taraba, Lagos and Edo states, where teachers and students demanded stronger security measures around schools.
Wike Promises Government Support
Addressing protesters at the Federal Capital Territory Administration Secretariat, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike assured families of abducted victims that security agencies were working tirelessly to secure their release.
He urged Nigerians not to politicise insecurity, stressing that the challenge affects every region of the country and requires collective action.
“No government would intentionally allow its citizens to be kidnapped. Every possible effort is being made to secure the release of those affected,” Wike stated.
Over 11,500 Schools Shut Since 2020
Experts warn that attacks on schools are rapidly undermining the Safe School Initiative launched in 2014 to protect educational institutions.
Reports indicate that more than 11,500 schools were shut down between December 2020 and 2024 due to violence, banditry and mass abductions.
Education stakeholders fear that continued attacks could force more schools, especially in rural communities, to close, further increasing the number of out-of-school children and weakening public confidence in the education system.
South-West Governors Criticised Over Rising Insecurity
Meanwhile, several South-West socio-political and self-determination groups have criticised governors in the region for what they describe as inadequate responses to growing insecurity.
The groups accused state governments of failing to effectively deploy security resources despite increasing incidents of kidnapping, attacks on communities and displacement of residents across Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and parts of Lagos State.
They called for greater accountability regarding the use of security votes and demanded stronger community-based security measures to protect lives and property.
CAN Calls for Security Emergency
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security following the increasing attacks on schools, churches and communities.
Speaking at the 2026 National Church Leaders Summit in Abuja, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture, improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration among security agencies.
Parents Reject Rice and Cash, Demand Children’s Return
In Yawota community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, parents of abducted schoolchildren rejected relief materials and cash donations reportedly brought by government officials.
According to community leader Baale Emmanuel Alade, grieving parents insisted that their only concern is the safe return of their children.
“They came with rice and money, but the parents rejected it. What they want is for their children to come back home safely,” he said.
Growing Fear for Nigeria’s Education Future
As insecurity continues to spread, stakeholders warn that Nigeria risks losing a generation of learners if urgent measures are not taken to secure schools and restore confidence in the education system. With millions of children already out of school, they stress that protecting educational institutions must become a national priority.
