Kebbi, Kwara govt reopen schools
The governments of Kebbi and Kwara states have announced the reopening of schools in selected areas, signalling a gradual return to normal academic activities after months of closures due to rising bandit attacks.
In Kebbi, the state government approved the immediate resumption of selected primary and secondary schools located in major cities and towns.
The state had ordered school closure following a bandit attack on Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga town, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, in November, during which 25 schoolgirls were abducted and the school guard killed.
The reopening announcement was made on Sunday by Dr. Halimatu Bande, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, during a briefing in Birnin Kebbi.
According to Bande, the resumption takes effect from Monday, January 5, 2026, and applies only to schools within urban centres. Schools in rural areas will reopen later, following further security improvements.
“Only schools located within major cities and towns are approved to resume at this stage,” Bande said. “Schools outside these areas will reopen at a later date, which will be communicated in due course.”
The commissioner explained that the phased reopening is aimed at ensuring the safety of students and teachers while gradually restoring full academic activities across the state.
She also directed Education Secretaries and Zonal Directors to enforce compliance and monitor implementation, appealing to parents and guardians to ensure that their children return to school promptly.
Bande commended Governor Nasir Idris for his sustained support for education, describing his administration as committed to providing safe, inclusive, and quality learning for all children in Kebbi State.
In the meantime, in Kwara State, the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development has ordered the resumption of academic activities in all schools from today (Monday).
The directive, issued by Peter Amogbonjaye, the ministry’s Press Secretary, quoted the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, as saying that learning will resume immediately, except in areas still under “special security measures.”
“Learning activities are to resume immediately in all but areas earlier identified to be under special security surveillance,” the statement said. “Normal school activities will resume in such places very soon.”
The move follows a November 2025 directive that temporarily closed schools in several local government areas, including Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, and Oke Ero, in response to escalating insecurity and bandit attacks.
The closures were aimed at safeguarding pupils and teachers and were part of broader emergency responses to violent incidents in the state.
To ensure continuity in learning, especially for pupils in areas still affected by insecurity, the ministry also announced a radio-based learning initiative in collaboration with UNICEF and the Nigeria Learning Passport.
The programme, airing on the state-owned 99.1 Midland FM, will begin on January 5, with scheduled broadcasts at 11 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, and 2:30 p.m. on Fridays. Additional radio stations will be added to expand reach.
“The initiative aims to ensure continuity in learning, especially for pupils in areas where school activities are still limited by security concerns,” the ministry said.
