Insecurity Puts 52 Million Nigerian Pupils at Risk as Teachers, Students Stage Nationwide Protests

Nigeria’s education sector is facing one of its gravest threats in recent years as escalating insecurity continues to endanger more than 52 million pupils and students across the country’s primary and secondary schools.

The crisis has triggered nationwide protests by teachers, students and labour groups, while South-West governors face mounting criticism over what stakeholders describe as inadequate responses to the growing wave of kidnappings, banditry and attacks on schools.

The protests, organised by the , and , were held simultaneously across several states, including Oyo, Borno, Lagos, Edo, Kano, Ogun, Taraba, Plateau, Kwara, Niger, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Abia and the Federal Capital Territory.

The demonstrations come amid growing concerns that worsening insecurity could derail efforts to improve access to education and further increase Nigeria’s already alarming out-of-school population, estimated at over 15 million children.

Education stakeholders warn that persistent attacks on schools, coupled with the abduction of learners and teachers, are creating fear among parents and forcing schools in vulnerable communities to shut down.

Available data from the and the indicate that more than 47 million pupils are enrolled in basic education, while over 5.5 million students attend secondary schools nationwide.

Stakeholders fear that continued insecurity threatens the future of these learners and the stability of Nigeria’s 217,000-plus public and private schools.

Teachers Demand Urgent Action

Speaking during a protest in Abuja, the Chairman of the FCT Wing of the NUT, Abdullahi Shafa, said schools must remain safe spaces for learning and development.

He warned that the rising cases of kidnappings and attacks on educational institutions have created widespread fear among teachers, students and parents, while disrupting academic activities in several parts of the country.

Shafa called on the Federal Government to strengthen security around schools, improve intelligence gathering and fully implement the Safe School Initiative to protect learners and education workers.

“No child should have to choose between getting an education and staying alive,” he said.

In Oyo State, NANS President, Babatunde Afeez, joined protesters in demanding the immediate release of students and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the kidnappers as enemies of society.

Wike Assures Families, Warns Against Politicising Insecurity

Addressing protesters in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, , assured affected families that government was working with security agencies to secure the release of abducted victims.

Wike cautioned against politicising insecurity, stressing that the challenge affects all parts of the country and requires collective national action.

“No government would intentionally allow its citizens to be kidnapped. Every possible effort is being made to secure the release of those affected,” he stated.

South-West Governors Under Pressure

Meanwhile, several Yoruba socio-political and self-determination groups have accused South-West governors of failing to adequately address the growing security crisis across the region.

The groups alleged that despite repeated attacks, kidnappings and killings in communities across Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Osun states, state governments have largely responded with meetings and public statements rather than decisive security measures.

Spokesman for Yoruba Leaders of Thought, Bayo Aina, argued that governors possess greater capacity to tackle insecurity than they have demonstrated.

“It is obvious that the governors can do far more than they are presently doing. If the authorities remain indifferent, they are effectively mortgaging the future of Yoruba land,” he said.

Similarly, Chairman of the , Wale Oshun, lamented that several recommendations aimed at improving regional security had been ignored.

CAN Calls for Security Emergency

The has also called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security in response to rising cases of kidnapping, attacks on schools and violent crimes across the country.

Speaking at the 2026 National Church Leaders Summit in Abuja, CAN President, , urged authorities to overhaul the nation’s security architecture and strengthen intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration.

He condemned the increasing incidents of killings, abductions, torture and forced displacement affecting communities nationwide.

Sowore Threatens March on Aso Rock

Presidential candidate of the , , joined protesters in Abuja and threatened to lead a demonstration to the Presidential Villa if abducted schoolchildren are not rescued.

“We are asking those elected to protect citizens to do their job,” Sowore said, accusing the government of failing to adequately secure schools and vulnerable communities.

Parents Reject Relief Materials

In a dramatic development, parents of abducted schoolchildren in Yawota community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, reportedly rejected relief materials and cash donations brought by government officials.

The community’s traditional ruler, Baale Emmanuel Alade, said grieving parents turned down bags of rice and financial assistance, insisting that their priority was the safe return of their children.

“They came with rice and money, but the parents rejected it. What they want is the release of their children,” the monarch said.

With more than 11,500 schools reportedly shut down across Nigeria between 2020 and 2024 due to violence, education experts warn that continued attacks on schools could reverse years of progress in expanding access to education and deepen the country’s out-of-school crisis.

As protests spread nationwide, pressure is mounting on federal and state authorities to take decisive action to secure schools, rescue abducted victims and restore public confidence in the safety of Nigeria’s education system.