Minna: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Niger state Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education have unveiled a report highlighting the devastating impact of insecurity on education in the state.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the report was unveiled during a one-day dissemination event in Minna, focusing on the impact of insecurity on access to learning in Niger State. The study, applying a mixed-methods approach, gathered primary and secondary data from 20 schools in Shiroro, Munya, and Rafi Local Government Areas between 2020 and 2025. The findings revealed that 114 schools were closed due to insecurity, with only 29 of these having reopened.
In her remarks, Vanessa Lee, Chief of Education at UNICEF Nigeria, emphasized that insecurity has significantly affected the quality of learning, with communal conflicts and criminal activities disrupting the education system in the region. Represented by Mr. Believe Eke, Education Specialist at UNICEF Abuja, Lee noted that the report provides evidence-based insights into the human, social, and economic consequences of ongoing insecurity. She called on government, community stakeholders, development partners, and private partners to implement the report’s recommendations for the benefit of children.
Dr. Hadiza Mohammed, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Niger State, voiced her concerns over the threat insecurity poses to the education system, affecting the safety of both learners and teachers. She assured that the state government is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and quality education for every child. Mohammed highlighted that out of 45 secondary schools shut due to insecurity, 33 have reopened, while 12 remain closed. She noted the establishment of a stakeholder committee for school safety and education reform across the 25 local governments.
Presenting the report, Mr. Saviour Kolo, a consultant from Oxford, stated that banditry and kidnapping were identified as the most prevalent forms of insecurity, with over 370 incidents reported from 2020 to 2025. The study revealed that 27 learners and four staff members were abducted, and one learner was killed during this period. Kolo noted that 83.7 percent of students struggled to concentrate due to anxiety over potential security incidents, affecting their education. Additionally, 50 percent of teachers in Rafi and 34.6 percent in Munya reported frequent cancellations of lessons and examinations due to security concerns.
The study recommended addressing the root causes of insecurity through economic development and social welfare for conflict-affected households. It also suggested upgrading school infrastructure, establishing an early warning system, training teachers and older students in emergency response, and supporting community-based learning spaces. These measures aim to provide decisive, coordinated, and adequately funded interventions to mitigate the impact of insecurity on education.