Nigeria’s education sector is facing renewed concerns as growing insecurity across parts of the country continues to threaten the safety of students, teachers and school communities. Following recent abductions in several states, schools have heightened security measures while education stakeholders are calling on federal and state governments to take swift action to protect learning environments.
Reports indicate that some parents have begun withdrawing their children from schools after receiving security alerts about potential attacks in parts of Northern Nigeria.
One concerned parent, Chief Remi Olokun, expressed his fears on a university platform, saying he remains vigilant about the security situation affecting his children.
“I am on red alert and monitoring the situation in my children’s university and polytechnic. If I get any negative report, I will recall them home,’’ he stated.
Amid the growing concerns, the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos, issued a security advisory to staff and students after receiving reports of security-related threats within the Ibeju-Lekki area.
The university stated:
“While normal activities are expected to continue as usual, all members of the community are advised to remain vigilant and exercise caution in their daily movements. The university is actively monitoring the situation and will communicate further updates and guidance as developments warrant.”
The institution further advised students and staff to remain alert, observe their surroundings carefully and promptly report any suspicious activity to security authorities.
NAPPS Calls for Immediate Rescue of Abducted Victims
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) expressed concern over what it described as the slow pace of rescue efforts involving abducted teachers and pupils.
In a statement signed by National President Dr. Samira Jibir and National Secretary Dr. Kayode Adeyemi, the association condemned the kidnappings and called on all levels of government and security agencies to secure the immediate release of those still in captivity.
NAPPS also commended private school owners in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, for temporarily shutting down schools and organizing prayers for the safe return of the victims.
The association pledged continued engagement with government officials and stakeholders while urging authorities to strengthen security around schools nationwide.
Teachers’ Union Warns Schools May Shut Nationwide
The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) described insecurity as one of the greatest challenges currently facing the education sector.
According to the union’s secretary, Mr. Gbenga Aiyetoba:
“The abduction of children and killing of our members are unacceptable. Our schools are longer safe for teaching and learning. Oyo State schools have been shut and we have told government that if nothing is done, schools nationwide will be closed. Our national leaders have communicated this to the government.’’
ANCOPSS Raises Alarm Over School Safety
The President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mr. Masheyi Abayomi, warned that the country risks serious consequences if insecurity in schools is not urgently addressed.
“A nation whose future leaders are in the forest and teachers are afraid to go to school is doomed,” he said.
Abayomi noted that many schools remain vulnerable due to inadequate infrastructure, citing the absence of perimeter fencing in some affected schools.
“We visited the school in Oyo, there is no fence. Safety is the biggest problem in our schools. We need government action to tackle the security challenge. We are moving to a dangerous situation.
“Hope we will not get to a situation when principals and teachers will come to schools with weapons to protect themselves,’’ Abayomi stated.
Education Experts Demand Stronger School Protection
National President of the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), Orji Kanu Emmanuel, described the current security concerns as alarming.
“It is alarming to say the least. Our schools have become central targets for kidnappers, bandits, terrorists and other non-state actors. It is sad and I am worried because this has turned into a lucrative commercial venture for perpetrators who remain largely unchecked.
“No, teachers and pupils are not safe enough. When fear replaces focus in the classroom, learning stops. Safety is not just the absence of attack; it is the presence of confidence. That confidence is missing today.”
He advised school owners to strengthen security through perimeter fencing, controlled access points and stronger collaboration with communities, vigilante groups and law enforcement agencies.
Orji also warned against shutting down schools nationwide, arguing that doing so would hand victory to criminal elements.
“Shutting down schools means absolute surrender. It means ceding governance and sovereignty to enemies. ‘One child out of school is one child for the street’ – and for recruitment by criminals.
“Instead of closure, we need targeted protection. If a specific school has a credible threat, relocate pupils temporarily and deploy security. But closing schools nationwide hands victory to terrorists. Education must not stop because criminals are active,” he stated.
He further urged government to declare an emergency on school security and take urgent measures to restore confidence in the education system.
Calls for Better Security Funding and School Protection Force
Other stakeholders also weighed in on the growing insecurity.
The Director of Corporate Affairs at Nigerian Breweries Plc, Uzodinma Odenigbo, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure schools remain safe learning environments while expressing hope for the swift release of abducted students and teachers in Oyo and Borno states.
Executive Director of the African Students Education Support Initiative (ASESI), Chinonso Obasi, described the abductions as evidence of worsening insecurity and leadership failure.
“As an organisation dedicated to advancing education and protecting the welfare of students, we are deeply concerned that innocent children continue to be targeted while pursuing their right to education.”
Obasi stressed that insecurity is discouraging school attendance and worsening Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.
NANS Pushes for Local Government Autonomy
National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, argued that granting full local government autonomy could help improve security at the grassroots level.
“If local governments are financially empowered, they will be better equipped to respond to these criminals and strengthen security within their jurisdictions,” he said.
Former NANS President Advocates Dedicated School Security Force
Former NANS President Lucky Emonefe called for the creation of a specialized security unit focused solely on protecting schools, particularly those located in rural communities where attacks are more frequent.
“The criminals are not targeting schools in major cities. Their focus is largely on schools in rural communities where security presence is weak. These institutions should be adequately protected because they have become soft targets,” he said.
He also called for more effective use of security budgets and urged governments at all levels to prioritize the protection of schoolchildren.
“Insecurity is a common enemy. Government must strengthen its response measures. When citizens see concrete action, they will have greater confidence that authorities are genuinely committed to addressing the challenge,” he added.
As concerns continue to mount, education stakeholders across Nigeria are united in one message: protecting schools, teachers and students must become an urgent national priority.
