By Deborah Nnamdi
The Federal Government has ordered the immediate shutdown of 41 Federal Unity Colleges following heightened security concerns across several parts of the country.
The directive was contained in a circular issued on November 21, 2025, by the Federal Ministry of Education. According to the document, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, approved the closure in response to “recent security challenges” and the need to forestall possible breaches.
“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. Principals of affected Colleges are to ensure strict compliance,” the circular, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Abdulkadir, on behalf of the Minister, stated.
The 41 schools affected are spread across the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South. They include FGGC Minjibir, FTC Ganduje, FGGC Zaria, FTC Kafanchan, FGGC Bakori, FTC Dayi, FGC Daura, FGGC Tambuwal, FSC Sokoto, FTC Wurno, FGC Gusau, FGC Anka, FGGC Gwandu, FGC Birnin Yauri, FTC Zuru, FGGC Kazaure, FGC Kiyawa, FTC Hadejia, FGGC Bida, FGC New-Bussa, FTC Kuta-Shiroro, FGA Suleja, FGC Ilorin, FGGC Omu-Aran, FTC Gwanara, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Kabba, FTC Ogugu, FGGC Bwari, FGC Rubochi, FGGC Abaji, FGGC Potiskum, FGC Buni Yadi, FTC Gashua, FTC Michika, FGC Ganye, FGC Azare, FTC Misau, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Billiri and FTC Zambuk.
The directive follows a resurgence of school attacks in recent days. On Friday, gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of students. Witnesses said the assailants arrived on more than 60 motorcycles and shot the school’s gatekeeper, who was severely injured.
Earlier in the week, bandits abducted 25 schoolgirls during a raid on a secondary school in Maga, Kebbi State.
The rising tension also triggered rumours of a fresh abduction in Nasarawa State, which the police promptly debunked. The Nasarawa State Police Command described reports that two pupils were taken from St. Peter’s Academy in Rukubi as “false and not reflective of the true state of affairs”.
In response to the worsening situation, President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to coordinate rescue efforts. The President also postponed scheduled trips to Johannesburg and Angola.
Nigeria has grappled with recurring school kidnappings since the 2014 Chibok abduction in Borno State, with multiple incidents recorded across northern states. International organisations, including UNICEF, have repeatedly urged the government to prioritise the protection of students and ensure safe learning environments nationwide.
