Insecurity Crisis Puts Over 52 Million Nigerian Pupils at Risk as Stakeholders Demand Urgent Action
Nigeria’s education sector is facing a growing threat as worsening insecurity continues to endanger the future of more than 52 million pupils and students enrolled in primary and secondary schools across the country.
Frequent attacks on schools, kidnappings of students and teachers, and fears over safety have forced the closure of several schools in affected communities, leaving thousands of children without access to education. The situation has heightened concerns among education stakeholders, who warn that the country’s already fragile education system could face even greater challenges if urgent action is not taken.
According to data obtained from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), Nigeria currently has over 47 million pupils in basic education and more than 5.5 million students in senior secondary schools. However, with about 15 million children already out of school and more than 80 students and teachers still being held captive following recent attacks in Oyo and Borno states, fears are growing that the crisis could worsen.
The insecurity challenge affects more than 217,000 public and private schools nationwide and threatens efforts to improve access to quality education and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which focuses on inclusive and equitable education for all.
Nationwide Protests Over School Attacks
The worsening situation triggered nationwide protests by members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Demonstrations were held across several states, including Oyo, Borno, Lagos, Edo, Kano, Ogun, Taraba, Kwara, Plateau, Kebbi, Niger, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The protesters condemned the increasing attacks on schools and the abduction of learners and teachers. They called on the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to take immediate steps to secure educational institutions and guarantee the safety of students and staff.
The protests followed a directive issued by the national leadership of the NUT in a circular dated May 29, 2026, signed by the union’s President, Audu Amba, and Secretary, Clinton Ikpitibo. The directive instructed state chapters to organise solidarity rallies to draw attention to the deteriorating security situation affecting schools.
Speaking during the protest in Abuja, FCT NUT Chairman Abdullahi Shafa said the demonstrations were intended to draw government attention to the growing danger insecurity poses to the education sector.
He lamented the rising cases of kidnappings involving students and teachers, noting that the situation has created fear among parents, learners and education workers while disrupting academic activities in many parts of the country.
Shafa stressed that schools should remain safe environments for learning and development, insisting that no child should have to choose between getting an education and staying alive.
He urged authorities to strengthen security around schools, improve intelligence gathering, fully implement the Safe School Initiative (SSI), and ensure that perpetrators of attacks are arrested and prosecuted.
Oyo Kidnapping Sparks National Outrage
In Oyo State, members of the NUT, NLC and NANS staged protests over the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
NANS President Babatunde Afeez, who addressed protesters at the Oyo State Governor’s Office, said students from across the country gathered to demand the immediate release of the victims.
He described the kidnappers as enemies of society and urged Nigerians to unite against criminal elements threatening the nation’s future.
Similar protests were held in Kano, Taraba, Lagos and Edo states, where teachers and students called for stronger security measures and the immediate rescue of abducted victims.
In Edo State, protesters marched through major streets in Benin City under the leadership of NUT Chairman Lucky Imarouagheru to express outrage over attacks on schools and students.
Wike Assures Families of Government Efforts
Addressing teachers who protested at the Federal Capital Territory Administration Secretariat, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike assured affected families that government was working closely with security agencies to secure the release of kidnapped students and teachers.
Wike said insecurity should not be politicised because it affects every region of the country and requires collective national action.
According to him, no responsible government would deliberately allow citizens to be kidnapped, adding that efforts are ongoing to address the situation and secure the release of victims.
Experts Warn of Education Setback
Education experts warned that continued attacks on schools could force more institutions to shut down, particularly in rural and conflict-prone communities.
Available reports indicate that more than 11,500 schools were closed across Nigeria between December 2020 and 2024 due to violence, banditry and mass abductions.
Stakeholders said the attacks threaten the success of the Safe School Initiative, a programme launched in 2014 to protect learners, teachers and educational facilities from violence.
They warned that repeated kidnappings, killings and invasions of schools are weakening public confidence in the education system and discouraging parents from sending their children to school.
Adaramoye Michael, National Mobilisation Officer of the Education Rights Campaign, called on government to prioritise the safe rescue of abducted students and teachers while strengthening security measures through collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups.
Public affairs analyst Patrick Nzeh also advocated increased funding for school security, improved intelligence gathering and stronger cooperation between communities and security agencies.
Yoruba Groups Accuse South-West Governors of Inaction
Meanwhile, several Yoruba socio-political and self-determination groups have criticised South-West governors for what they described as a weak response to rising insecurity across the region.
The groups argued that repeated kidnappings, attacks on communities and displacement of residents in states such as Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and parts of Lagos reveal a serious gap between security spending and actual protection of citizens.
They accused governors of relying on routine meetings and public statements rather than implementing decisive measures to combat criminal activities.
The groups further insisted that governors must be held accountable for the utilisation of billions of naira allocated as security votes and other resources intended for public safety.
Spokesman of Yoruba Leaders of Thought, Bayo Aina, said governors possess greater capacity to tackle insecurity than they have demonstrated.
He warned that failure to act decisively could expose the region to further attacks and undermine its economic and social stability.
Similarly, Afenifere Renewal Group Chairman, Wale Oshun, lamented that several recommendations from Yoruba organisations on tackling insecurity had been ignored by political leaders.
The groups also renewed calls for stronger community-based security systems, state policing and improved regional security collaboration.
CAN Demands Security Emergency
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security as kidnappings, attacks on churches, schools and communities continue to rise.
Speaking at the 2026 National Church Leaders Summit in Abuja, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh called for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s security architecture.
He advocated improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies and greater accountability in tackling terrorism, banditry and violent crimes.
Okoh also condemned the increasing cases of murder, kidnapping, torture, rape and forced displacement affecting citizens across the country.
Sowore Threatens March to Aso Rock
Former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore joined protesters in Abuja and vowed to sustain demonstrations until abducted schoolchildren are rescued.
Sowore accused the government of failing in its responsibility to protect citizens and criticised the deployment of security personnel to monitor protesters instead of securing schools.
He warned that protesters would march to Aso Rock Villa if the abducted children were not released.
“We are asking those elected to protect citizens to do their job,” he said.
Parents Reject Relief Materials, Demand Children’s Return
In Yawota community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, parents of abducted schoolchildren reportedly rejected relief materials and cash donations brought by government representatives.
The community’s traditional ruler, Baale Emmanuel Alade, disclosed that residents refused bags of rice and financial assistance because their primary concern was the safe return of their children.
According to the monarch, government officials visited the community with relief supplies and monetary support, but grieving parents insisted that nothing could replace the return of the abducted students.
“They came with rice and money, but the parents rejected them. What they want is the safe return of their children,” he said.
As insecurity continues to spread across schools and communities, stakeholders warn that failure to address the crisis urgently could further deepen Nigeria’s education challenges, increase the number of out-of-school children and threaten the future of millions of young Nigerians.
