The Niger State Government has approved the reopening of schools shut in the wake of last year’s abduction of pupils and staff of St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Hadiza Asebe Mohammed, said on Saturday that both public and private schools across the state would resume on January 12, 2026, following clearance by security authorities.
Mohammed said the decision was taken after weeks of intensive security assessment and consultations with relevant agencies, underscoring Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s resolve to protect lives while keeping the education sector on track.
She expressed relief that all those abducted from the Papiri school had been rescued safely after spending weeks in captivity, describing their release as a major boost to confidence in the ongoing security efforts across the state.
According to her, the government would, however, adopt a cautious, risk-based approach, noting that schools located in areas still considered unsafe would remain closed until further notice.
“Every school is currently undergoing assessment by the appropriate security agencies to ensure that the environment is safe for learning before reopening,” the commissioner said.
She added that the state government would not compromise on safety, stressing that reopening decisions would continue to align with intelligence reports and on-the-ground realities.
The reopening plan, she noted, reflects the administration’s determination to balance educational continuity with security imperatives, amid lingering concerns over insecurity in parts of the state.
