The Digest:
The Niger State Government has approved the partial reopening of primary and secondary schools starting January 12, following a weeks-long shutdown forced by a devastating mass abduction, implementing a strict policy that keeps schools in unsafe zones closed.
Key Points:
- Schools in areas deemed "safe and secure" will resume academic activities on Monday, January 12, 2026.
- All public and private day and boarding schools in areas still assessed as unsafe will remain closed indefinitely until cleared by security authorities.
- The decision follows a detailed security assessment and consultations with agencies after the abduction of 230 pupils and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri in November.
- School authorities are required to register all returning students and submit the data to the Ministry of Education within one week for monitoring purposes.
- Local government chairpersons have been instructed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure adequate security presence around school premises.
- The state government had ordered a total shutdown of all schools in late November 2025 following the attack, which sparked national outrage.
Sources: Premium Times
