Schools in parts of northern Nigeria began reopening on Monday after being closed for months following the abduction of hundreds of students in November, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from parents and communities still worried about security.
The mass kidnappings last year highlighted the vulnerability of schools in a region affected by criminal gangs and Islamist insurgents. Despite lingering fears, authorities said improved security measures had made it safer for students to return to classrooms, although no details were provided.
In northern Kaduna state, a 17 year old student said returning to school after two months away was emotionally difficult but necessary. She said she missed spending time with her teachers and friends, particularly during lunch breaks, as she prepared to head back to her boarding school.
Her father, Haruna Danjuma, said the decision to send his daughter back was painful but unavoidable. He said fear of kidnapping should not deny children their right to education, while stressing that protecting students remained the government’s responsibility.
However, not all areas have followed the same path. In Niger State, in central Nigeria, where more than 300 students and staff were abducted in November, many schools have remained closed due to ongoing security concerns, according to state officials.
Saint Mary’s Catholic School in the Papiri hamlet was among those that did not reopen. The Christian Association of Nigeria said the state government had instructed schools in areas facing serious security challenges to remain shut until further notice.
Niger State education commissioner Hadiza Mohammed said the continued closures reflected the priority placed on safety, adding that the protection of students, teachers and school communities remained paramount.