The Federal Government has directed the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges due to escalating security concerns.
The order was issued through a circular dated November 21, 2025, released by the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the circular, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, approved the closure in response to “recent security challenges” in various parts of the country and the need to prevent further incidents.
Principals of the affected institutions were instructed to implement the shutdown without delay. The 41 schools listed are located across the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South.
The circular stated, “Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs) with immediate effect. Principals of affected Colleges are to ensure strict compliance,” and was signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Abdulkadir, on behalf of the Minister.
Full List of Affected Schools
- FGGC MINJIBIR
- FTC GANDUJE
- FGGC ZARIA
- FTC KAFANCHAN
- FGGC BAKORI
- FTC DAYI
- FGC DAURA
- FGGC TAMBUWAL
- FSC SOKOTO
- FTC WURNO
- FGC GUSAU
- FGC ANKA
- FGGC GWANDU
- FGC BIRNIN YAURI
- FTC ZURU
- FGGC KAZAURE
- FGC KIYAWA
- FTC HADEJIA
- FGGC BIDA
- FGC NEW-BUSSA
- FTC KUTA-SHIRORO
- FGA SULEJA
- FGC ILORIN
- FGGC OMUARAN
- FTC GWANARA
- FGC UGWOLAWO
- FGGC KABBA
- FTC OGUGU
- FGGC BWARI
- FGC RUBOCHI
- FGGC ABAJI
- FGGC POTISKUM
- FGC BUNI YADI
- FTC GASHUA
- FTC MICHIKA
- FGC GANYE
- FGC AZARE
- FTC MISAU
- FGGC BAJOGA
- FGC BILLIRI
- FTC ZAMBUK
Rising Threats Targeting Schools
The nationwide closures follow a spike in school-targeted attacks, including two recent mass abductions.
In Niger State on Friday, attackers stormed St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, abducting an undisclosed number of students. Witnesses reported that the gunmen arrived on more than 60 motorcycles and shot the school’s gatekeeper, who suffered severe injuries.
Earlier, 25 schoolgirls were abducted in Maga, Kebbi State, during another school invasion.
The heightened tension also triggered rumours of student abductions in Nasarawa, claims which the state police immediately refuted. The Nasarawa State Police Command stressed that reports of two pupils taken from St. Peter’s Academy in Rukubi were “false and not reflective of the true state of affairs”.
In response to the worsening situation, President Bola Tinubu instructed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to move to Kebbi and supervise rescue efforts. He also postponed his scheduled trips to Johannesburg and Angola.
The resurgence of mass kidnappings is part of a troubling pattern dating back to 2014, when students were abducted in Chibok, Borno State. Since then, schools—particularly in the North—have repeatedly been targeted.
International organisations, including UNICEF, have consistently condemned the abductions and urged Nigerian authorities to prioritise student safety.