Several public and private schools in Niger State’s security-affected areas will remain closed, even as authorities have approved the reopening of schools in safer communities from January 12, 2026.
The Niger State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, stated that only schools in locations assessed as secure are permitted to resume academic activities. Schools in areas deemed unsafe will remain shut until cleared by security agencies.
The decision follows comprehensive security evaluations and consultations with relevant authorities, aimed at safeguarding students, teachers, and school communities amid ongoing insecurity in parts of the state.
School authorities in approved areas have been directed to immediately register all returning students and submit the data to the ministry within a week of resumption for monitoring purposes. Local government chairpersons are also tasked with supporting the reopening by ensuring adequate security presence around school premises in collaboration with security operatives.
To maintain transparency, the ministry will release an official list of schools approved to reopen on January 12.
