The Federal Government on Friday ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges across the country following a fresh surge in school attacks and mass abductions in northern Nigeria.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, who issued the order on behalf of the Minister of Education. Abdulkadir said the action became necessary “to prevent possible breach of security in the listed schools,” citing heightened threats against learning institutions.
All principals of the affected colleges have been instructed to enforce the shutdown without delay.
The schools affected include: FGGC Minjibir, FTC Ganduje, FGGC Zaria, FTC Kafanchan, FTC Dayi, FGC Daura, FGGC Tambuwal, FSC Sokoto, FTC Wurno, FGC Gusau, FGC Anka, FGGC Gwandu, and FGC Birnin Yauri.
Others are: FTC Zuru, FGGC Kazaure, FGC Kiyawa, FTC Hadejia, FGGC Bida, FGC New-Bussa, FTC Kuta-Shiroro, FGA Suleja, FGC Ilorin, FGGC Omu-Aran, FTC Gwanara, FGGC Bakori, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Kabba, FTC Ogugu, FGGC Bwari, FGC Rubochi, FGGC Abaji, and FGGC Potiskum.
Also listed are: FGC Buni Yadi, FTC Gashua, FTC Michika, FGC Ganye, FGC Azare, FTC Misau, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Billiri, and FTC Zambuk.
The sweeping directive came hours after armed terrorists raided St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting students and teachers in an overnight attack.
Community members who visited the scene described the invasion as a coordinated operation carried out between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Local officials — including Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara LGA, and Bello Gidi, media aide to the council chairman — confirmed the incident.
Speaking with Chronicles Reporters, Gidi said:
“Yes, it’s true that bandits have kidnapped students and teachers at St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State.”
He added that initial information suggested that “over 100 students and teachers” might have been taken, noting that the school is co-educational. However, the exact number of abductees remains uncertain.
Some community members reported that “more than a dozen” children were taken, but local figures circulating after the attack could not be independently verified.
The latest abduction adds to a troubling pattern of school-targeted assaults that has pushed the government to intensify emergency measures. The shutdown of 41 Unity Colleges marks one of the most extensive closures since the wave of mass school kidnappings began in 2014, underscoring the deepening insecurity confronting Nigeria’s education system.
Authorities say further updates will be issued as security agencies assess the evolving situation.