Stakeholders have warned that Nigeria’s education sector is facing one of its gravest threats in recent years, with growing insecurity putting the future of more than 52 million pupils and students at risk across the country.
A surge in school attacks, kidnappings of students and teachers, and persistent violence in several communities has continued to disrupt learning, forcing the closure of schools and deepening concerns over access to education.
The crisis comes at a time when the country is already grappling with an estimated 15 million out-of-school children. The situation has become even more alarming following recent attacks in Oyo and Borno states, where more than 80 pupils and teachers remain in captivity.
Education stakeholders warn that the worsening security climate could further weaken an already strained education system and reverse gains made in school enrollment and retention.
Data obtained from the websites of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) show that Nigeria currently has over 47 million pupils in basic education and more than 5.5 million students in secondary schools. Stakeholders say the insecurity challenge threatens not only these learners but also the country’s 217,054 public and private schools.
The crisis has sparked nationwide outrage, leading to coordinated protests by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). Demonstrations were held across several states, including Oyo, Borno, Lagos, Edo, Kano, Taraba, Ogun, Kwara, Plateau, Kebbi, Niger, Akwa Ibom, Abia, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Protesters called on the Federal Government, state governments, and security agencies to take urgent measures to safeguard schools, rescue abducted victims, and prevent further attacks on educational institutions.
The NUT warned that failure to address the security challenge could jeopardize Nigeria’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and quality education for all. The union stressed that continued insecurity could significantly increase the number of out-of-school children and undermine educational development nationwide.
Nationwide demonstrations followed a directive issued by the national leadership of the NUT in a circular dated May 29, 2026, signed by the union’s President, Audu Amba, and Secretary, Clinton Ikpitibo. The directive instructed state chapters to organize solidarity rallies to highlight the growing threat posed by insecurity to the education sector.
Speaking during a protest in Abuja, Chairman of the FCT Wing of the NUT, Abdullahi Shafa, described insecurity as a major threat to education and national development. He lamented that increasing cases of student and teacher abductions had created fear among parents, learners, and education workers, while severely disrupting academic activities.
According to him, schools must remain safe spaces where children can learn without fear. He called on authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve security around schools, fully implement the Safe School Initiative, and ensure that perpetrators of attacks on educational institutions are brought to justice.
In Oyo State, members of NUT, NLC, and NANS staged a protest at the Governor’s Office, demanding the immediate release of students and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area. NANS President, Babatunde Afeez, described the kidnappers as enemies of society and urged Nigerians to unite against criminal elements threatening the nation’s future.
Similar demonstrations were held in Kano, Lagos, Taraba, Edo, and other states, where teachers and students expressed concern over rising insecurity and called for stronger protection of schools.
Addressing protesting teachers at the Federal Capital Territory Administration Secretariat, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike assured Nigerians that the government was working closely with security agencies to secure the release of abducted victims. He emphasized that insecurity should not be politicized, noting that it remains a national challenge requiring collective action and cooperation.
Experts have warned that continued attacks on schools could have devastating consequences for education. Reports indicate that more than 11,500 schools across Nigeria were shut down between December 2020 and 2024 due to violence, banditry, and mass abductions.
They cautioned that persistent attacks threaten the effectiveness of the Safe School Initiative, established in 2014 to protect learners, teachers, and educational facilities. According to them, recurring school invasions, kidnappings, and killings are eroding public confidence in education, and discouraging parents from sending their children to school.
Meanwhile, the worsening insecurity has ignited criticism from several South-West socio-political and self-determination groups, which accused governors in the region of failing to respond decisively to rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks.
The groups argued that repeated attacks across Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and parts of Lagos State have exposed weaknesses in the region’s security architecture despite substantial security allocations. They maintained that governors must take greater responsibility for protecting lives and property instead of relying solely on security meetings and public assurances.
The groups also questioned the utilization of security votes and other resources earmarked for public safety, insisting that citizens deserve accountability and tangible results in the fight against insecurity.
Adding to growing concerns, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security in response to increasing cases of kidnappings, attacks on schools, churches, and vulnerable communities.
He advocated stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced collaboration among security agencies, improved operational effectiveness, and greater accountability in combating terrorism, banditry, and violent crime.
