The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has raised alarm over worsening insecurity across the country, warning that repeated attacks on schools pose a serious threat to the future of education in Nigeria.
The National President of the NUT, Mr Audu Amba, expressed the concern while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.
Amba said teachers, students, and education stakeholders are increasingly worried about the rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks targeting schools in several parts of the country.
He noted that what initially appeared to be isolated incidents has now escalated into a growing national crisis, warning that it is undermining basic education and Nigeria’s human capital development.
Citing recent incidents in Kebbi and Niger States, Amba said schools have been attacked, leading to abductions and the killing of a teacher.
“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,” he said.
Amba stressed that education remains the foundation of national development and must be protected from criminal elements disrupting learning across communities.
“When education, especially basic education, comes under threat from insecurity, then something must have gone wrong somewhere within the system,” he added.
He said the union had hoped earlier attacks would serve as a warning signal, but lamented that such incidents have continued to increase.
Amba also pointed to recent developments in Oyo State, saying they further show that insecurity around schools is spreading and requires urgent government action.
“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.
The NUT president noted that the union’s role is to continue advocating for safer schools, as it does not have the 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.
According to him, fear and insecurity are already disrupting teaching and learning, especially in vulnerable communities.
“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.
Amba called on Nigerians to be more security conscious and support efforts to protect schools through timely reporting of suspicious activities.
“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 also reminded government of its constitutional duty to protect lives and property, including schools and education personnel.
“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 further disclosed that the union directed its Oyo State chapter to ask teachers to stay at home following the abduction of colleagues and students.
He said the decision was taken to safeguard teachers while efforts were underway to secure the release of the 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.
Amba reaffirmed the union’s commitment to engaging government and relevant stakeholders to ensure safer learning environments and uninterrupted education nationwide.