Unity schools have reopened in Nigeria after 47 of them were shut down due to rising insecurity across parts of the country.
This was made known by the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement on Thursday.
The unity Schools reopening reaffirms Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding students and ensuring the continuity of education, said Boriowo Folasade, the director of press and public relations.
“After the strengthening of security architecture within and around the affected schools, academic activities have fully resumed. Students have returned safely to their campuses, with many currently concluding their December academic programmes, while others have successfully completed their examinations,” the statement read in part.
The ministry assured parents, guardians, and the general public that the safety, welfare, and well-being of students remain a top priority.
It also explained that the government continues to work closely with relevant security agencies to sustain stability and restore normalcy within school environments nationwide.
Read also: The quest for unity in Nigeria and the role of unity schools
“The federal government remains resolute in its responsibility to protect every Nigerian child and to uphold their fundamental right to education in a safe and secure environment.
“This administration places strong emphasis on human capital development and recognises education as a critical pillar for national growth and development. Accordingly, it remains determined to prevent any disruption to the academic calendar,” it stated.
It assured parents, guardians, and the general public that the safety, welfare, and well-being of students remain a top priority.
The ministry explained that the government continues to work closely with relevant security agencies to sustain stability and restore normalcy within school environments nationwide.
“The federal government remains resolute in its responsibility to protect every Nigerian child and to uphold their fundamental right to education in a safe and secure environment.
“This administration places strong emphasis on human capital development and recognises education as a critical pillar for national growth and development. Accordingly, it remains determined to prevent any disruption to the academic calendar,” it stated.
The ministry further emphasised that the safe return of students and the successful conduct of examinations in several unity colleges underscored the government’s resolve to keep learning on track despite prevailing challenges.
Recall BusinesDay earlier reported that the federal government, on November 21, shut down 41 federal unity colleges over rising security concerns.
Some of the affected colleges are; Federal Government Girls College, Minjibir, Kano State; Federal Technical College, Ganduje, Kano State; Federal Government Girls College, Zaria, Kaduna State; Federal Technical College, Kafanchan, Kaduna State; Federal Government Girls College, Bakori, Katsina State; Federal Technical College, Dayi, Sokoto State; Federal Government College, Daura, Katsina State; Federal Government Girls College, Tambuwal, Sokoto State; Federal Science College Sokoto; and Federal Technical College, Wurno, Sokoto State.
The government also shut down Federal Government College, Gusau, Zamfara State; Federal Government College, Anka, Zamfara State; Federal Government Girls College, Gwandu, Kebbi State; Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State; Federal Technical College, Zuru, Kebbi State;
Federal Government Girls College, Kazaure, Jigawa State; Federal Government College, Kiyawa, Jigawa State; Federal Technical College, Hadejia, Jigawa State; Federal Government Girls College, Bida, Niger State; Federal Government College, New-Bussa, Niger State; Federal Technical College, Kuta-Shiroro, Niger State; Federal Government Academy, Suleja, Niger State; Federal Government College, Ilorin, Kwara State; Federal Government Girls College, Omuaran, Kwara State; Federal Technical College, Gwanara, Kwara State; Federal Government College, Ugwolawo, Kogi State; Federal Government Girls College, Kabba, Kogi State; Federal Technical College, Ogugu, Kogi State; Federal Government Girls College, FCT, Bwari, Abuja; and Federal Government College, FCT, Abuja.
Others are Federal Government Girls College, Abaji-Abuja; Federal Government Girls College; Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State; Federal Technical College, Gashua, Yobe State; Federal Technical College, Michika, Adamawa State; Federal Government College, Ganye, Adamawa State; Federal Government College, Azare, Bauchi State; Federal Technical College, Misau, Bauchi State; Federal Government Girls College, Bajoga, Gombe State; Federal Government College, Billiri, Gombe State; and Federal Technical College, Zambuk, Gombe State.
Consequence to the rampaging insecurity threats flooding some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, the federal government mandated the immediate closure of the listed federal unity colleges with immediate effect.
The move came amid renewed mass abduction of students from learning institutions across the country.
The closure comes on the heels of rising security threats across the country, with two mass abductions of students taking place in recent days.
In Niger State, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri on Friday, abducting an unspecified number of students. Witnesses said that the attackers rode over 60 motorcycles and shot the school’s gatekeeper, who sustained serious injuries.
