The Federal Government has announced the reopening of 47 Federal Unity Colleges that were earlier shut down over security concerns, following improvements in safety measures around the affected schools.
The development was confirmed on Thursday in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education.
The ministry said the decision reflected the government’s commitment to protecting students while ensuring that learning is not disrupted.
According to the statement, security arrangements within and around the schools have been strengthened, allowing academic activities to resume fully.
”Students have returned to their campuses safely, with some completing their December academic programmes and others concluding their examinations.”
The ministry assured parents, guardians and the general public that the safety and welfare of students remain a top priority.
It added that the government was working closely with security agencies to sustain stability and maintain a secure learning environment across the country.
Reaffirming its position, the Federal Government said it remained determined to safeguard the right of every child to education in a safe setting, noting that education is central to its human capital development agenda and national growth strategy.
The reopening followed the earlier closure of dozens of unity schools on November 21, after rising security threats and mass abductions of students in several states.
At the time, principals were directed to enforce the shutdown as attacks on schools intensified, particularly in parts of the North.
The closures were prompted by a series of violent incidents, including large-scale abductions of pupils and teachers in Niger and Kebbi states, and echoed past attacks on educational institutions dating back to the 2014 Chibok abductions.
In response to the escalating situation, President Bola Tinubu had directed top security officials to oversee rescue efforts and coordinate responses, underscoring the urgency of restoring safety to school communities.
The Ministry of Education said the safe return of students and the successful conduct of examinations in several unity colleges demonstrated the government’s resolve to keep education on course despite ongoing security challenges.
