The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has explained why it is opposed to any move to shut down schools in Borno State amid worsening insecurity, saying closure would amount to conceding victory to terrorists seeking to disrupt education in the state.
Speaking in an interview in Maiduguri on Tuesday, the union’s National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Tom, said teachers remain committed to keeping schools open despite persistent security challenges across parts of the state.
Tom, who spoke on behalf of the Borno State NUT Chairman, Zali Garba, said the union had not directed the closure of schools and would continue to encourage teachers to remain at their duty posts.
“We did not order the closure of schools in Borno State. If you close schools, it is a victory for fear.
“We will continue to encourage our teachers to teach in their respective schools so that we can defeat the terrorists’ agenda of seeing schools shut down. That is what we are advocating for; we are not agitating for the closure of schools,” he said.
According to him, the union’s position is driven by the belief that access to education must be protected despite prevailing security risks, insisting that shutting schools would undermine the right of children to learn.
“Education is part of human rights, but recent developments have undermined that right,” he said.
Tom added that the union’s planned nationwide protest was aimed at drawing attention to rising cases of abductions involving students and teachers and to press authorities for urgent intervention.
“This rally is intended to make our voices heard and to demand the unconditional release of learners abducted from Mussa Primary and Secondary School in Askira Uba,” he said.
“These children deserve protection and the full enjoyment of their rights. We are calling on the government to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted students, teachers and our colleagues in Borno and other states. The protest will take place nationwide, and we are fully in solidarity with it.”
The comments come amid coordinated nationwide rallies by teachers demanding stronger protection for schools and the release of abducted students and education workers in various parts of the country.
The protests, taking place across all 36 state capitals, were organised by the NUT to draw attention to the growing insecurity affecting the education sector.
The action followed a directive issued by the union’s national leadership in a circular dated May 29, 2026, and signed by NUT President Audu Amba and Secretary Clinton Ikpitibo, calling for solidarity rallies and stronger government action to safeguard schools.
