The Federal Government has ordered the immediate shutdown of 41 Federal Unity Colleges due to escalating security threats.
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 closures in response to “recent security challenges” in several parts of the country and the need to avert possible attacks.
The circular directed principals of the affected schools to enforce the closure at once. The 41 institutions are located across the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South.
The circular, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Abdulkadir, on behalf of the Minister, stated:
“Following the recent security challenges in some regions and the need to prevent any breaches, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges. Principals of affected schools must ensure strict compliance.”
List of Schools Ordered to Close
- 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
- FTC Zambuk
Renewed Attacks on Schools
The closures follow a spike in school-related attacks, including two mass abductions in recent days.
In Niger State, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri on Friday, kidnapping an unspecified number of students. Witnesses reported that the attackers arrived on more than 60 motorcycles and shot the gatekeeper, who was seriously injured.
Earlier, assailants abducted 25 schoolgirls during an attack in Maga, Kebbi State.
A rumour of student abductions in Nasarawa also spread amid rising tension, but the state police quickly denied it. The Nasarawa Police Command clarified that reports claiming two pupils were taken from St. Peter’s Academy, Rukubi, were “false and inaccurate.”
In response to the growing threats, President Bola Tinubu instructed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi to supervise rescue efforts. The President also postponed planned trips to Johannesburg and Angola.
The wave of school kidnappings has heightened insecurity across northern states, prompting urgent calls for coordinated government action.
These incidents are the latest in a troubling pattern of school abductions that began with the 2014 Chibok kidnapping and have continued across Nigeria. International organizations, including UNICEF, have repeatedly condemned these attacks and urged the government to ensure the safety of learners.
