By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has raised fresh concerns over the worsening security situation across the country, warning that persistent attacks on schools and educational institutions pose a significant threat to the future of education in Nigeria.
National President of the Union, Mr. Audu Amba, expressed the concern while responding to questions from journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.
Amba said teachers, learners and other education stakeholders were increasingly worried by growing incidents of banditry, kidnapping and attacks on schools in several parts of the country, stressing that the trend was steadily undermining efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s educational system and human capital development.
According to him, insecurity, which initially appeared manageable, had expanded in scope and intensity, creating serious challenges for the education sector, particularly at the basic education level.
“The situation is becoming alarming. We recently witnessed attacks in Kebbi State where a school was invaded and a teacher was brutally killed before family members. We also had reports from Niger State where students were taken into captivity. These incidents are deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” Amba said.
The union leader stressed that education remained the foundation of national growth and development and therefore must be safeguarded from criminal activities capable of disrupting academic activities nationwide.
“When education, especially basic education, comes under threat from insecurity, then something must have gone wrong somewhere within the system,” he said.
Amba noted that earlier attacks on educational institutions should have served as a wake-up call to authorities, lamenting that the incidents appeared to be increasing rather than declining.
He also referenced recent developments in Oyo State, which he said reflected the expanding nature of security threats around schools and reinforced the need for immediate and coordinated intervention by government and relevant agencies.
“It is a matter of concern for all Nigerians because when education is threatened by banditry and kidnapping, the future of our country becomes uncertain. That is why government must be more proactive in addressing these security challenges before they cause irreversible damage to the education sector,” he said.
Amba explained that while the union remained committed to advocating for the protection of schools and education personnel, it lacked the authority and operational capacity of security agencies.
“The only weapon available to us is advocacy. We do not carry guns and we are not security agencies, but we must continue speaking up. Our responsibility is to advocate for the safety of schools, our teachers and the learners entrusted to our care across the country,” he said.
Amba warned that increasing insecurity had already begun affecting the teaching and learning environment, particularly in vulnerable communities where fear and uncertainty continue to dominate daily activities.
“You do not know where the next attack may occur. In some places, learning takes place with one eye open and one eye closed. Teachers and learners are constantly looking over their shoulders, particularly in remote communities where insecurity remains a major challenge,” he said.
The NUT president further urged Nigerians to become more security conscious and support efforts to protect educational institutions through timely information sharing and community vigilance.
“Security is everybody’s business. Community leaders, parents and ordinary citizens must remain alert and report suspicious movements whenever they observe them,” he said.
He reiterated that the responsibility for protecting lives and property rests with government, noting that schools, teachers and learners deserve adequate protection as critical components of national development.
“The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property. Schools are public assets and the lives of teachers and learners are equally important,” he said.
Amba also disclosed that the union directed its Oyo State chapter to instruct teachers to stay away from schools following the reported abduction of colleagues and learners.
According to him, the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of teachers and prevent the situation from deteriorating while efforts continue to secure the release of victims.
“We directed teachers to remain at home until our colleagues and the learners are rescued because their safety remains our primary concern. If people are in captivity, learning cannot continue normally. We felt it was necessary to take proactive steps under the circumstances,” he said.
He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to sustained engagement with government and other stakeholders toward ensuring safer learning environments and uninterrupted access to quality education across the country.
