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The governments of Kebbi and Kwara states have announced the reopening of schools in selected areas, marking a cautious return to academic activities after prolonged closures triggered by bandit attacks and worsening insecurity.
Kebbi Begins Phased School Reopening
In Kebbi State, the government has approved the immediate resumption of selected primary and secondary schools located in major cities and towns.
The decision follows months of school closures after a deadly bandit attack on Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area in November. During the attack, 25 schoolgirls were abducted and a school guard was killed, prompting the state to shut schools as a safety measure.
Announcing the reopening on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Halimatu Bande, said resumption would take effect from Monday, January 5, 2026, but would apply only to schools within urban centres.
“Only schools located within major cities and towns are approved to resume at this stage,” Bande said. “Schools outside these areas will reopen at a later date, which will be communicated in due course.”
She explained that the phased reopening is designed to prioritise the safety of students and teachers while gradually restoring normal academic activities across the state.
The commissioner directed Education Secretaries and Zonal Directors to ensure strict compliance and effective monitoring, while urging parents and guardians to ensure their children return to school promptly.
Bande also praised Governor Nasir Idris for his continued commitment to education, describing his administration as focused on providing safe, inclusive, and quality learning environments for children in Kebbi State.
Kwara Orders Statewide Resumption
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development has directed all schools across the state to resume academic activities from Monday, except in areas still under special security measures.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Press Secretary, Peter Amogbonjaye, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, said learning would resume immediately in most parts of the state.
“Learning activities are to resume immediately in all but areas earlier identified to be under special security surveillance,” the statement read. “Normal school activities will resume in such places very soon.”
The directive follows a November 2025 decision to temporarily shut schools in several local government areas, including Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, and Oke Ero, due to escalating bandit attacks and insecurity.
Radio Learning Programme for Affected Areas
To ensure learning continuity for pupils in areas still affected by insecurity, the Kwara State government announced a radio-based education programme in partnership with UNICEF and the Nigeria Learning Passport.
The programme will air on the state-owned 99.1 Midland FM, beginning January 5, with the following schedule:
- Mondays & Tuesdays: 11:00 a.m.
- Wednesdays: 1:00 p.m.
- Fridays: 2:30 p.m.
The ministry said additional radio stations would be added to expand the programme’s reach.
“The initiative aims to ensure continuity in learning, especially for pupils in areas where school activities remain limited due to security concerns,” the ministry said.
