In what can be described as taking proactive steps to prevent ugly incident, the Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges (FUC) over rising security concerns, following the upsurge in kidnapping of school children in some parts of the country.
The directive was contained in a circular dated November 21, 2025, issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and made available to journalists on Friday.
According to the circular, the Minister of Education approved the shutdown following “recent security challenges” in parts of the country and the need to prevent breaches.
Principals of the affected schools were also directed to enforce the closure of the unity schools without further delay.
The ministry further listed all 41 schools in states 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, reads in part, “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.”
Here is the full list of the colleges:
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
It is important to note that the closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges was sequel to rising security threats across the country.
In Niger State, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Private School in Papiri on Friday, abducting an unspecified number of students. Witnesses reported that the attackers rode over 60 motorcycles and shot the school’s gatekeeper, who sustained serious injuries.
Bandits had earlier in the week in Kwara State, abducted about 30 worshippers during an assault on a Christ Apostolic Church parish in Eruku, killing three people. The kidnappers are reportedly demanding ₦100 million per victim.
In Kebbi State, gunmen seized about 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive College in Maga on Monday during an attack on the college.
Meanwhile, the rising tension has sparked a rumour of an abduction in Nasarawa on Friday. The Nasarawa State Police Command on Friday dismissed reports that two pupils were taken from St. Peter’s Academy in Rukubi, describing the claims as “false and not reflective of the true state of affairs.”
