Niger Government Warns Private Schools Against January 5 Resumption, Threatens Sanctions

 

Niger Government Warns Private Schools Against January 5 Resumption, Threatens Sanctions

TEC News|3rd January, 2026.

 

The Niger State Government has issued a firm warning to private schools across the state, directing them not to resume academic activities on January 5 until an official resumption date is announced by the government.

The directive was issued through the Niger State Private Schools Board in a notice signed by the Board’s Information Officer, Khadijat Umar, on Friday. According to the statement, any private school found resuming without official approval risks immediate closure and other sanctions.

The Board stressed that the resumption date for private schools will be formally communicated by the Executive Governor of Niger State, Umaru Bago, urging school proprietors and administrators to strictly comply with the directive to avoid punitive measures.

The government explained that the decision is aimed at ensuring uniform compliance with state regulations governing academic calendars, especially in light of prevailing security concerns.

This development supersedes an earlier report that the state governor had approved the resumption of schools on January 5, 2026.

Recall that on November 22, 2025, the Niger State Government ordered the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state following heightened insecurity.

Governor Bago announced the closure after an emergency security meeting with heads of security agencies, which was convened in response to the abduction of pupils at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area.

The Governor confirmed that the closure affected all schools, including missionary schools, Islamic schools, and Federal Government Colleges, such as FGC Minna, until further notice. However, tertiary institutions were exempted, except those located in vulnerable areas within the Niger North and Niger East Senatorial Districts.

The closure followed the November 21, 2025 attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School, where gunmen stormed the boarding facility and abducted pupils and staff, triggering nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of schools across Nigeria.

The affected schools are managed by the OLA Sisters and owned by the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, under the Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province.

In an update, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora confirmed that all abducted pupils and staff have been rescued and reunited with their families. In a press statement dated December 25, 2025, and signed by the Bishop of Kontagora, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Diocese disclosed that 230 pupils and staff members were abducted during the attack.

According to the Diocese, a final reconciliation and verification exercise confirmed that the abducted persons included 12 staff members, 14 students, and 204 pupils. The Bishop stated that the reconciliation was necessary to address conflicting figures that emerged in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

He emphasized that all victims have regained their freedom and that no one remains missing, bringing formal closure to the incident.

Meanwhile, authorities say the safe release of the abducted persons was achieved through sustained security pressure and coordinated efforts, as calls intensify for stronger protection of schools and decisive measures to prevent future attacks.

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