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•Govt says schools in unsafe locations remain closed
From John Adams Minna
The Niger State Government has announced the conditional re-opening of public and private schools that were shut down across the state due to security concern in November last year.
The government, in a statement through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in the state, said the decision followed a careful security assessment and extensive consultations with relevant security agencies in the state.
The state government, however, made it clear that only public and private day schools as well as boarding schools located in safe and secure areas are allowed to reopen on Monday, 12th January 2026.
“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 statement noted.
According to the statement, the ministry will release the official list of all public and private schools approved for reopening on Monday, 12th January 2026.
The government further pointed out that it is commitment to safeguarding lives while ensuring uninterrupted access to quality education for all children in Niger State.
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In addition, the government directed that all school authorities are mandated to register all returning students upon their resumption and submit the compiled data to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education within one week of resumption for proper documentation and monitoring
The state government further directed all local government council chairmen to support the school reopening process within their respective areas through collaboration with security agencies to provide adequate security presence in and around school premises.
The state government also enjoined all parents, guardians, school proprietors, and other critical stakeholders to strictly comply with the directives in the collective interest of peace, safety, and sustainable educational development in Niger State
While appreciating the patience, cooperation, and understanding of parents, school managers, and the general public, the state government maintained that the safety of students, teachers, and school communities remains paramount; hence, it reaffirmed its unwavering determination to protect them.
The state had, on November 11 2025, announced the immediate shutdown of schools in the state after the abduction of over 300 students from St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Papiri community in Agwara Local Government area of Niger State.
Also all tertiary instructions in the Niger North and East Senatorial Districts were affected by the governor’s directives.
