The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges following heightened security concerns across several parts of the country.
The directive was issued in a circular dated November 21, 2025, released by the Federal Ministry of Education. According to the document, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, approved the shutdown after considering the “recent security challenges” and the need to prevent further breaches. Principals of all affected schools were instructed to enforce the closure at once, with institutions spread across the North-West, North-East, North-Central and parts of the South.
The circular, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Abdulkadir, on behalf of the Minister, stressed that the directive must be complied with immediately. It quotes, “Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs) with immediate effect. Principals of affected Colleges are to ensure strict compliance.”
See the full list:
1. FGGC MINJIBIR
2. FTC GANDUJE
3. FGGC ZARIA
4. FTC KAFANCHAN
5. FGGC BAKORI
6. FTC DAYI
7. FGC DAURA
8. FGGC TAMBUWAL
9. FSC SOKOTO
10. FTC WURNO
11. FGC GUSAU
12. FGC ANKA
13. FGGC GWANDU
14. FGC BIRNIN YAURI
15. FTC ZURU
16. FGGC KAZAURE
17. FGC KIYAWA
18. FTC HADEJIA
19. FGGC BIDA
20. FGC NEW-BUSSA
21. FTC KUTA-SHIRORO
22. FGA SULEJA
23. FGC ILORIN
24. FGGC OMUARAN
25. FTC GWANARA
26. FGC UGWOLAWO
27. FGGC KABBA
28. FTC OGUGU
29. FGGC BWARI
30. FGC RUBOCHI
31. FGGC ABAJI
32. FGGC POTISKUM
33. FGC BUNI YADI
34. FTC GASHUA
35. FTC MICHIKA
36. FGC GANYE
37. FGC AZARE
38. FTC MISAU
39. FGGC BAJOGA
40. FGC BILLIRI
41. FTC ZAMBUK
The announcement comes as renewed attacks on learning centres worsen insecurity nationwide. In Niger State, armed men invaded St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri on Friday, kidnapping several students and shooting the school’s gatekeeper, who was left critically injured. This followed an earlier abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi State, which triggered widespread outrage and concern for the safety of students in vulnerable communities.
The fear generated by the recent attacks also led to false reports in Nasarawa State, where claims of an abduction at St. Peter’s Academy were later dismissed by the police as “false and not reflective of the true state of affairs.”
In response to the rising threats, President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi to coordinate rescue efforts. The president also postponed planned trips to Johannesburg and Angola as he awaits further security briefings. The surge in school abductions has intensified calls for urgent, coordinated intervention to secure education spaces across the northern region.
Nigeria has battled recurring abductions in schools since the 2014 Chibok kidnapping in Borno State, with mass incidents occurring repeatedly in the years that followed. International organisations, including UNICEF, continue to condemn the attacks and urge authorities to prioritise the protection of children and educational institutions.
What You Should Know
The Federal Government has shut down 41 Unity Colleges due to escalating insecurity, especially following recent mass abductions in Niger and Kebbi States.
The decision reflects fears of further attacks on schools and has prompted President Tinubu to focus on security briefings while deploying senior officials to crisis zones.
The closure highlights a worsening threat to education, with safety concerns across multiple northern states driving urgent calls for stronger protection measures.
