Follow Us on Google
• Govt directs LG chairmen to provide security
From John Adams Minna
Apprehension has gripped Niger State as both public and private schools across the state reopen for academic activities two months after they were shut due to security challenges.
The resumption follows the state government directive in a statement by the ministry for basic education directing schools to reopen yesterday.
The government said it took the decision to reopen the schools after a careful security assessment and extensive consultations with relevant security agencies in the state.
The statement, however, made it clear that only public, private day schools and boarding schools located in safe and secure areas are allowed to reopen, adding that “all public and private day schools as well as boarding schools located in unsafe areas shall in the interim remain closed until such areas are duly assessed and cleared by relevant security authorities.”
The government pointed out that it is committed to safeguarding lives while ensuring uninterrupted access to quality education for all children in Niger State.
However, mixed reactions have trailed the decision to reopen some schools while others remain closed, questioning the fate of children whose schools remained shut.
Most affected in the partial reopening are children who are expected to write their Senior Schools Certificated Examinations (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE).
Some of the parents believe that the decision to reopen some schools while others remain closed will affect the school calendar and by extension the children.
A parent, Musa Abdullahi, said two of his children are expected to write their Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) this year but wondered what would be their fate as their school is among those not approved for reopening.
“Honestly, I don’t know what to do with this development because the implication is that the schools still under closure might not be reopened to enable the children prepare for their SSCE examinations.”
Other parents also expressed fears and apprehension over the security arrangement in those schools that have been allowed to reopen, saying the directive to local government chairmen to provide security is not enough guarantee.
“Reopening these schools without proper security arrangements is a source of concern to some of us that our children are in boarding houses. I don’t believe that the local governments have what it takes to provide security for schools.
“My children’s school is among the ones asked to resume today but I am still not convinced enough to allow them to resume. I am still studying the situation, maybe next week I may allow them,” Mrs. Ifeoma Okeke said.
On the level of preparedness for the schools resumption in his local government that has hitherto witnessed unprecedented attacks by bandits, chairman of Munya Local Government Area, Mallam Aminu Najume said the council was on top of the situation to ensure adequate security is provided for the schools.
“We received a letter directing us to provide security for the school resumption and we are doing exactly that. By tomorrow (Tuesday) security will be on ground in our schools within the local government.
“But for now, those schools within the town (local government headquarter) that are not prone to attacks have reopened. We are working to ensure that we provide security for schools outside the local government headquarters, that is, those in the villages.”
He pointed out that the security situation has improved in the last three months, adding that the people can now go to their farms and local markets unlike before when we were under siege.
The state government had on November 11, 2025, announced immediate shutdown of schools after the abduction of over 300 students from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Papiri community in Agwara local government area.
All tertiary instructions in the Niger North and East Senatorial districts were affected by the governor’s directives.
The governor gave the order shortly after an expanded state security meeting with heads of all security agencies in the state at the government house.
