Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria are ordered closed immediately after escalating security threats and recent abductions in schools

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria following rising security threats to students and staff.

Also read: Kefas’ APC Move Delayed Amid Troubling Kebbi School Abductions

The directive, issued on Friday via a circular from the Federal Ministry of Education, affects schools in the North-West, North-East, North-Central and parts of the South.

Principals of the affected institutions were instructed to suspend academic activities with immediate effect.

“Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country 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.

Principals of affected Colleges are to ensure strict compliance,” the circular read.

The closures come amid a spate of recent abductions in Nigerian schools, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities in the education sector.

This marks one of the most sweeping responses yet to the country’s deepening security crisis, reflecting growing concern over attacks targeting students and staff.

Similar measures were recently taken in Katsina, where the state government ordered all public schools closed after intelligence warned of imminent threats.

The urgency of the situation was further underscored on Friday in Niger State, when armed men stormed St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri.

Travelling on more than 60 motorcycles, the attackers overpowered security personnel and shot the school’s gatekeeper before abducting an unknown number of pupils and staff.

Residents described the assault as one of the most coordinated attacks in the area in recent months.

Earlier this week, in Kwara State, bandits invaded a Christ Apostolic Church parish in Eruku, killing three worshippers and abducting at least 30 others. Ransoms of ₦100 million per hostage have reportedly been demanded.

In Kebbi State, 25 schoolgirls were seized during a pre-dawn raid on Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga—an attack that has drawn national outrage and intensified scrutiny of Nigeria’s security architecture.

Panic spread further on Friday following unverified reports of two pupils being abducted in Nasarawa, which the state police quickly dismissed, urging the public to refrain from spreading rumours.

Also read: Agbarho Women Protest Child Abductions, Demand Action

The closure of these 41 Federal Unity Colleges reflects the government’s urgent response to a rising wave of school-based attacks and highlights the critical need for improved security measures in vulnerable communities.