Minna
The Niger State Government has announced that not all schools across the state will resume academic activities on January 12, 2026, citing lingering security concerns in some areas.
The Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr. Hadiza Asebe Mohammed, disclosed that only schools certified safe by security agencies would be permitted to reopen, stressing that the safety of students and teachers remains the government’s overriding priority.
She made the clarification on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting with education authorities and key sector players in Minna.
According to the commissioner, schools previously shut down due to insecurity and banditry will resume in phases, following improved security assessments in select locations.
“Resumption will be gradual. Only schools in Chanchaga, Suleja, Bida, and parts of Bosso Local Government Areas have been approved to reopen on Monday,” Dr. Mohammed said, noting that these urban centres have met required security benchmarks.
She warned that any school found operating without official clearance would face strict sanctions from the state government.
Dr. Mohammed assured parents and guardians that efforts are ongoing to secure other parts of the state, adding that remaining schools would reopen within days—once clearance is granted.
“Niger State has 45 boarding schools. While 21 were initially scheduled to reopen on January 12, recent security incidents around the Kontagora axis necessitated a reduction to 18,” she explained.
The commissioner further revealed that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has directed local government chairmen to work closely with security agencies and recruit additional guards to strengthen school safety across their jurisdictions.
She added that the ministry would commence the collation of accurate data on students and teachers as schools gradually resume academic activities.
Rimawaglobalnews reports that the phased reopening is part of broader efforts to balance access to education with security imperatives across Niger State.
