The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges across the country, citing heightened security concerns in parts of Nigeria. The directive comes as the Katsina State Government also announced the shutdown of all boarding and day schools within the state for similar reasons.
The federal directive was conveyed in a circular dated November 21, 2025, issued by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Education. Addressed to all principals of Federal Unity Colleges, the circular stated that the decision followed recent security challenges and the need to prevent any breaches within school environments.
According to the document, principals of the affected colleges are expected to ensure strict compliance with the closure order, while further details are contained in an attachment listing the schools involved.
This development mirrors an earlier directive by the Katsina State Government ordering the closure of all public, private and community boarding and day schools in the state. The Katsina order, issued through the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education and signed by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Sani Danjuma Suleiman, was described as a precautionary measure aimed at protecting students, teachers and school personnel.
Both the federal and state authorities acknowledged the inconvenience the closures may cause parents, guardians and school managers but stressed that the safety and wellbeing of learners remain paramount.
The Federal Ministry of Education and the Katsina State Government said they are monitoring the situation closely in collaboration with security agencies and will issue further directives as necessary.
This news is painful, but it shows the difficult times we’re living in. Closing down 47 Unity Colleges and all schools in our state (Katsina) is not something any parent or government takes lightly. But at the end of the day, the safety of our children comes before everything else.
I really feel for the parents, teachers and students who are affected—this kind of disruption is never easy. Still, I appreciate the government for taking a step that prioritises lives over convenience. We can only pray that the situation improves soon so our children can return to school without fear. May God protect our communities and guide those working to restore peace.