The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of 41 Unity Schools across Nigeria, citing growing insecurity in parts of the country.
A circular issued on 21 November 2025 by the Director for Senior Secondary Education in the Ministry of Education, directed all principals of Federal Unity Schools to shut their campuses without delay.
The letter read: Sequel to the recent security challenges in dome parts of the and the need to prevent any security breaches, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs) with immediate effect (see attached).
“Principals of affected Colleges are to ensure strict compliance. “Please accept the warm regards of the Honourable Minister”.
This action comes against the backdrop of a disturbing wave of abductions in northern Nigeria. Earlier this week, 25 schoolgirls were seized from a girls’ secondary school in Maga, Kebbi State, during a raid in which the vice-principal was fatally shot.
Almost simultaneously, a Catholic school in Papiri, Niger State, was attacked in the early hours of 21 November, with multiple students and teachers taken hostage and a security guard wounded.
The twin abductions have sparked national outrage. The Sultan of Sokoto’s religious body, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, has criticised gaps in security coordination.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students described the Kebbi incident as a stark reminder of the urgent need for proactive protection measures.
Niger State authorities have launched a formal investigation, saying the Kirbi attack occurred despite an earlier intelligence warning from the DSS and a state order that boarding schools remain closed.
The Catholic Diocese in Kontagora has also condemned the Papiri abduction, calling it a grave violation of children’s rights.
In a forceful statement, the National Orientation Agency criticised the Kebbi kidnappings, urging greater action from security agencies and reaffirming that no child should be endangered simply for seeking an education.
