When Insecurity Disrupts Learning: The Education Challenge in Niger State,A Call For Improved Action

By Correspondent in Minna.

For years, education,constitutionally a shared responsibility of local, state and federal governments,has come under sustained threat from insecurity in some states Nigeria, the most populated black nation globally. In Niger State, in central Nigeria,the crisis has assumed an alarming dimension, prompting calls by UNICEF, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), parents and other stakeholders for a coordinated, holistic response to protect lives, secure schools and safeguard the future of children whose education hangs in the balance.

Data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) paints a grim picture. About 10.5 million Nigerian children aged 5–14 are out of school. Only 61 per cent of children aged 6–11 regularly attend primary school, while just 35.6 per cent of children aged 36–59 months receive early childhood education. Insecurity in parts of Niger State,particularly Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas,now threatens to worsen these figures, with schools shut and communities displaced by fear.

The attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, remains a painful reminder of how insecurity can paralyse education. Since the incident, many school-age children in affected communities have been out of class, while families continue to grapple with trauma and uncertainty. The closure of schools has also heightened fears of long-term disruption to learning in an area where educational options are already limited.

The challenge is not confined to Papiri. Niger State, with 25 local government areas, has about 12 affected by armed banditry, including Paikoro, Mashegu, Shiroro, Agwara, Rafi, Munya, Kontagora, Borgu, Wushishi, Rijau, Nasko/Magama and Mariga. Residents call for enhanced security presence, arguing that difficult terrain and limited coordination among security agencies have compounded the problem, making rapid response and sustained protection difficult.

Residents also point to gaps in security infrastructure,insufficient personnel, limited equipment and the absence of permanent military bases in some vulnerable locations,as factors emboldening criminal groups.

Communities in Agwara and Borgu, located near forested and riverine areas, say attackers often exploit these routes to evade security operations.

The consequences for education are severe. St. Mary’s Schools, Papiri,established by the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora to serve children from as many as 50 surrounding communities,remains closed amid security concerns. Parents and teachers fear that without a significant security boost, the school risks prolonged or permanent closure, depriving the area of its only standard educational institution.

Recognising the gravity of the situation, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of the school, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has appealed for decisive action. While appreciating the efforts of the media, governments and security agencies in securing the release of abducted students and staff, the Bishop urged authorities to fortify the area with well-equipped, joint security forces to enable the safe reopening of the school.

“St. Mary’s School was established for our children irrespective of religion or tribem “We must not allow the dreams of these children to be extinguished. With adequate security, children can learn in a safe and supportive environment,”Bishop Yohanna said.

The call has found support at both national and international levels. In a statement issued on January 6, 2026, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, condemned attacks on schools and urged stronger collaboration among security agencies to protect civilian spaces. He described the abduction of children and teachers as a grave violation of human rights, including the right to education.

The Niger State Government, however, maintains that safety must come first. The Commissioner for Homeland Security, Barrister Maurice Magaji, said comprehensive measures are being implemented across affected areas but cautioned against rushing to reopen schools where risks persist. “Life comes before education,” he said, assuring that schools would reopen in phases once stability is restored.

Political leaders have also weighed in. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, has called for the establishment of a military base and the deployment of marine police in Agwara LGA, citing the strategic importance of riverine routes that criminals exploit. He stressed that the scale of the challenge requires strong federal support.

Despite official assurances, residents say the remain anxious. Teachers worry about job losses, parents fear renewed attacks, and children continue to bear the psychological burden of displacement and disrupted schooling. “If security is strengthened, we will feel safe to teach and our children can return to school,” said one affected teacher.

For many families, the closure of St. Mary’s Schools represents more than a temporary setback, to them,it is a threat to hope itself. As stakeholders intensify calls for a coordinated security response, the message is clear: protecting schools and ensuring access to education must be central to the fight against insecurity. Without this, the long-term cost will be borne by a generation of children denied their right to learn and to dream.

Edited by Dada Ahmed.