Schools across several northern Nigerian states reopened on Monday under a phased and security-screened approach, as authorities seek to restart education while managing ongoing threats from armed groups.
In Niger State, only 18 of 45 boarding schools have been cleared to reopen in the first phase, with institutions in vulnerable rural areas remaining closed. Plateau, Benue, and Zamfara states also resumed classes, with officials in Zamfara highlighting the reopening of some long-shuttered rural schools.
The staggered return follows the November 2025 mass abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri. Authorities say all captives from that incident have since been released.
The reopening is supported by Nigeria’s federally funded Safe Schools Initiative, which includes enhanced security deployments, student registration systems, and planned infrastructure upgrades. Despite these efforts, parental anxiety remains high, as communities continue to fear renewed attacks.
For now, schools are reopening cautiously — a step toward normalcy shadowed by persistent insecurity.
