The Federal Government has directed the immediate closure of 47 Unity Colleges across the country.
The directive follows recent attacks on schools in Kebbi and Niger States where students and staff were abducted and one official was shot dead.
Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, issued a circular on Friday stating that Dr. Tunji Alausa, minister of education, approved the temporary shutdown.
The circular said the decision was taken due to “recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches”.
The affected schools include institutions in Zaria, Daura, Sokoto, Potiskum, Ikare-Akoko, and Abaji, among others.
The closure comes amid a rise in attacks on educational institutions nationwide.
In Kebbi State, gunmen invaded Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga during the early hours and abducted 25 students.
The attackers also killed the vice-principal, Malam Hassan Makaku, who attempted to resist them.
In Niger State, another group of armed men abducted students and staff in a separate incident earlier in the week.
A report covering 2014 to 2022 shows that more than 1,680 children were abducted from schools across Nigeria.
The Federal Government said the temporary closure aims to protect students, strengthen security coordination, and prevent further attacks.
