The Niger State Government has announced plans to partially reopen public and private primary and secondary schools across the state, weeks after escalating insecurity—including the mass abduction of pupils from a Catholic school—forced the closure of educational institutions.
The decision followed a comprehensive security assessment and consultations with relevant security agencies, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim.
“The decision to reopen schools followed a careful security assessment and extensive consultations with relevant security agencies, in line with the state government’s commitment to safeguarding lives while ensuring uninterrupted access to quality education for all children in Niger State,” the statement said.
Under the new directive, all public and private day and boarding schools located in areas assessed as safe will resume academic activities on Monday, January 12. However, schools situated in areas still considered unsafe will remain closed until further notice.
“All public and private day as well as boarding schools located in unsafe areas shall, in the interim, remain closed until such areas are duly assessed and cleared by relevant security authorities,” the government stated.
School administrators have also been directed to register all students upon resumption and forward the data to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education within one week for proper documentation and monitoring. In addition, local government chairpersons are to work closely with security agencies to ensure adequate security within and around school premises.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is expected to release an official list of schools approved for reopening on January 12.
Background to the Closure
Schools in Niger State were shut down in late November 2025 following the abduction of pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
The attack occurred in the early hours of November 21, when gunmen stormed the boarding school and abducted students and teachers, triggering nationwide outrage. While initial reports suggested more than 300 persons were taken, a reconciliation exercise by the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora later confirmed that 230 pupils and staff were abducted.
Following the incident, the state government ordered the closure of all schools after an emergency security meeting chaired by Governor Umaru Bago, citing the need to protect children amid increasing attacks on schools and communities, particularly in Agwara and Shiroro local government areas.
At the peak of the crisis, the shutdown was extended to include missionary schools, Islamic schools and federal government colleges over safety concerns, pending improvement in the security situation.
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