The recent abduction of over 200 students and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State has added to Nigeria’s long history of school kidnappings, dating back to 2014.The country has 104 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.

This incident has prompted the Federal Government to temporarily close 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide due to security concerns. The decision comes after recent kidnappings of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger States, raising nationwide concerns over possible escalation.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa

In a statement issued late Friday, the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, confirmed that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, approved the shutdown to forestall further security breaches.

The directive, contained in a circular dated November 21, 2025, and addressed to all principals with reference number FME/DSSE/GM/S.160/C.11, was titled:

“Closure of forty-one (41) Federal Unity Colleges.”

It reads:

“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 (see attached). Principals of affected Colleges are to ensure strict compliance.”

The 41 affected schools include:

1. FGGC Minjibir

2. FTC Ganduje

3. FGGC Zaria

4. FTC Kafanchan

5. FGGC Bakori

6. FTC Dayi

7. FGC Daura

8. FGGC Tambuwal

9. FSC Sokoto

10. FTC Wurno

11. FGC Gusau

12. FGC Anka

13. FGGC Gwandu

14. FGC Birnin Yauri

15. FTC Zuru

16. FGGC Kazaure

17. FGC Kiyawa

18. FTC Hadejia

19. FGGC Bida

20. FGC New-Bussa

21. FTC Kuta-Shiroro

22. FGA Suleja

23. FGC Ilorin

24. FGC Omu-Aran

25. FTC Gwanara

26. FGC Ugwolawo

27. FGGC Kabba

28. FTC Ogugu

29. FGGC Bwari

30. FGC Rubochi

31. FGGC Abaji

32. FGGC Potiskum

33. FGC Buni Yadi

34. FTC Gashua

35. FTC Michika

36. FGC Ganye

37. FGC Azare

38. FTC Misau

39. FGGC Bajoga

40. FGC Billiri

41. FTC Zambuk

The closure follows a Monday dawn attack in which gunmen abducted 25 students and killed a staff member at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State.

Armed with “sophisticated weapons,” the attackers reportedly scaled the school fence around 4:00 a.m., abducting the students before security forces arrived.

The latest incident adds to a long list of school kidnappings that have plagued the country since the 2014 abduction of nearly 300 Chibok girls, which drew global outrage.

Reacting to recent tragedies, President Bola Tinubu said he was deeply troubled by both the Kebbi schoolgirl kidnapping and the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other soldiers in Borno State.

“Their families, and the families of the kidnapped schoolgirls, are in my prayers,” Tinubu wrote on X.

“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes.”