The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued an immediate directive for all public senior secondary schools in Abuja to shut down operations by Friday, November 28, 2025, citing escalating security concerns across Nigeria.
Urgent Security Directive for Abuja Schools
In a decisive move to protect students and staff, the FCT Administration mandated the closure through an internal memo signed by Aishatu Sani Alhassan, Director of School Services at the FCT Secondary Education Board. The document, titled "Urgent need for early closure of schools due to security concerns," requires principals to discontinue academic activities immediately and ensure students are released "in an orderly and safe manner."
School authorities have been instructed to promptly notify learners, teachers, and parents about this development. All scheduled academic activities should be adjusted accordingly, with schools expected to resume on the next official school day unless further directives are issued.
Nationwide Pattern of School Attacks
This precautionary measure follows a disturbing trend of attacks on educational institutions across multiple Nigerian states. On November 12, 2025, the Federal Government ordered the closure of all 110 unity colleges nationwide after coordinated attacks in Kebbi and Niger states.
The security situation deteriorated significantly when 25 female students were abducted from Government Girls' Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, on the same date. According to reports, two of the kidnapped girls managed to escape while being forced into the forest.
In a separate incident on November 21, 2025, Niger State authorities confirmed the abduction of students and staff from St Mary's School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora revealed that 315 individuals, including 303 students and 12 teachers, were taken by the attackers.
Government Response and Public Assurance
FCTA officials have emphasized that the school closures represent a preventive strategy rather than a response to any specific immediate threat. "We are taking all necessary measures to safeguard our children," an FCTA representative stated. "The early closure is a preventive step to ensure no risk is taken with the lives of students and staff."
The administration has urged residents to remain calm while security agencies work to stabilize the situation in affected regions. This development occurs alongside similar actions by other state governments, including Bauchi State, which recently ordered the complete shutdown of all public and private educational institutions.
Authorities continue to monitor intelligence reports and evolving security threats targeting educational facilities nationwide, with the FCTA describing compliance with the closure directive as "important and urgent" for student safety.
