Amid rising school abductions across northern Nigeria, the Federal Government has dismissed claims circulating on social media that all schools nationwide would be shut down from 24 November 2025.
FG: “No Nationwide Closure”
The Federal Ministry of Education described the viral report as false, misleading, and not originating from any official government or security channel. Ministry spokesperson Folasade Boriowo urged Nigerians to disregard the rumour and rely strictly on verified communication from authorised sources.
Targeted Unity School Closures Confirmed
While denying a blanket shutdown, the FG confirmed a targeted security response:
- 41 Federal Unity Colleges located in high-risk states have been temporarily closed following a surge in coordinated student abductions.
The ministry says this is a precautionary measure aimed at protecting students—not a nationwide halt of academic activities.
State Governments Take Independent Action
Across several states, local authorities have issued their own directives as insecurity worsens:
- Niger State: Ordered the closure of all public and private schools.
- Taraba State: Directed all secondary schools to operate strictly as day schools.
- Katsina State: Announced an immediate shutdown of all public schools.
- Plateau State: Temporarily closed all basic education schools pending security reassessment.
Tension and Contradictions
The crisis has sparked disagreements over communication failures.
The Catholic Diocese overseeing St. Mary’s School in Niger State insists it received no warning or security advisory before the most recent abduction—contradicting earlier claims by state officials.
Why This Matters
The spread of false school-closure notices has heightened anxiety among parents and students nationwide. The FG warns that misinformation could escalate panic in an already volatile climate.
But with selective closures—especially the 41 Unity Colleges—the government insists it is responding strategically to security threats, not shutting the education system down.
Meanwhile, state-by-state responses differ sharply, underscoring Nigeria’s uneven security landscape and the pressure on local authorities to act swiftly.
References
- Vanguard News – Abductions: FG Denies Ordering Nationwide Closure of Schools
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/abductions-fg-denies-ordering-nationwide-closure-of-schools/ - Punch Newspapers – FG denies nationwide school closure rumour
https://punchng.com (Search title on site – article link varies) - Linda Ikeji’s Blog – School Abductions: FG Denies Nationwide Closure of Schools
https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2025/11/school-abductions-fg-denies-nationwide-closure-of-schools.html - ThisDayLive – FG Orders Shutdown of 41 Unity Schools Over Rising Student Abductions
https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/11/22/fg-orders-shutdown-of-41-unity-schools-over-rising-student-abductions/ - PRNigeria News – FG Shuts Down 41 Unity Schools in High-Risk Areas
https://prnigeria.com/2025/11/21/orders-schools-closure/ - Vanguard News – Abduction: Niger Orders Closure of Schools
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/abduction-niger-orders-closure-of-schools/ - ICIR Nigeria – Abductions: Taraba Governor Converts Boarding Schools to Day Schools
https://www.icirnigeria.org/abductions-taraba-governor-orders-closure-of-public-private-schools/ - Telegraph Nigeria – Katsina Orders Closure of All Public Schools over Security Threats
https://telegraph.ng/news/2025/11/21/katsina-orders-closure-of-all-public-schools-over-security-threats/ - ThisDayLive – Terrorists on Rampage: FG, Katsina, Plateau Shut Schools
https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/11/22/terrorists-on-rampage-fg-katsina-plateau-shut-schools - Channels Television – Abduction: Catholic Diocese Counters Niger Govt, Denies Claim of Prior Warning
https://www.channelstv.com/2025/11/22/abduction-school-counters-niger-govt-denies-claim-of-prior-warning/ - Daily Trust – Insecurity: FG Denies Nationwide School Closure Rumour
https://dailytrust.com/insecurity-fg-denies-nationwide-school-closure-rumour/
