Three Nigerian state governments have announced a cautious, partial reopening of public and private schools, following closures prompted by a surge in kidnappings and attacks on educational institutions last year.
State-by-State Directives for Cautious Reopening
In Taraba State, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, has directed that all schools operate on a day schedule only. Boarding houses are to remain closed indefinitely. Dr. Godwin explained that boarding facilities were deemed particularly vulnerable to security breaches, with recent incidents causing heightened fear for student safety.
The Kebbi State government, through the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Halima Muhammad-Bande, ordered the resumption of academic activities on Monday, January 5, 2026. However, this directive applies strictly to schools situated within urban centres. Learning institutions located on the outskirts and in remote areas are exempted and must remain closed until further notice. The commissioner assured that adequate security measures have been put in place for the reopening schools and appealed to parents to release their wards.
Similarly, the Kwara State government directed the reopening of schools from the same date, except in areas under special security surveillance. The state's Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbebe, announced the decision, stating it followed a security assessment. He emphasized a phased resumption to protect pupils and teachers as security operations continue in troubled spots.
Stakeholders Warn of Deepening Inequality
While the resumption orders aim to restore academic activities, education stakeholders have raised significant alarms about the potential consequences. A major concern is that the closure of boarding facilities and restrictions in remote areas could severely deepen educational inequality.
For decades, boarding schools have served as a critical bridge for students from distant and rural communities, offering them access to quality education that their geography would otherwise deny. School administrators now fear that without functional hostels, only children from urban families or those with substantial resources will be able to sustain regular attendance.
The Christian Reformed Church–Nigeria (CRC-N) added its voice to these concerns. In a communiqué issued after its 161st General Church Council in Takum, the church body acknowledged the reality of school insecurity but warned that shutting down boarding facilities could inflict long-term harm on national development by excluding a segment of the population from education.
A Balancing Act: Security Versus Access
The partial resumption directives from Taraba, Kebbi, and Kwara states highlight the difficult balancing act facing authorities: ensuring the physical safety of students and teachers while maintaining access to learning. The phased and conditional reopenings show a preference for extreme caution.
Commissioner Halima Muhammad-Bande of Kebbi reiterated the government's commitment, saying, “The government is doing everything humanly possible to secure all schools that are reopening.” However, the explicit exclusion of remote areas in Kebbi and Kwara underscores the persistent and localized nature of the security threats.
As schools in selected urban centres welcome students back, the debate continues on how to sustainably safeguard education for all Nigerian children, especially those in the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities.
