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The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has expressed concern over growing insecurity across the country, warning that continued attacks on schools threaten the future of education.
This was stated by the national president of the NUT, Audu Amba, answering questions from journalists on the sidelines of the 114th International Labor Conference (ILC) underway in Geneva.
Amba said teachers, students and education stakeholders were increasingly concerned about increasing incidents of banditry, kidnapping and attacks on schools in different parts of Nigeria.
According to him, the insecurity initially seemed manageable, but it gradually spread, posing serious threats to basic education and undermining efforts to develop the nation’s human capital.
He cited recent attacks in Kebbi and Niger states, where schools were reportedly targeted by criminals, leading to the kidnapping and 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 in front of his family.
“We have also received reports from Niger State where students have been captured. These incidents are deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” he said.
Amba said education remains the backbone of national development and should be protected from criminal elements seeking to disrupt learning activities in communities.
“When education, especially basic education, is threatened by insecurity, then something must have gone wrong somewhere within the system,” he said.
The NUT president said the union expected previous incidents to serve as a wake-up call, but noted that attacks were becoming more frequent.
He said recent developments in Oyo State further demonstrate that insecurity around schools is spreading and requires urgent and coordinated government intervention.
“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’s why the government needs to be more proactive in addressing these security challenges before they cause irreversible damage to the education sector,” he said.
Amba said the union’s responsibility is to continue advocating for safer schools, teachers and students, as security agencies lack the powers and resources.
“The only weapon at our disposal is advocacy. We do not carry weapons and we are not security agencies, but we must continue to speak out.
“Our responsibility is to uphold the safety of schools, our teachers and the students entrusted to our care across the country,” he said.
According to him, fear and uncertainty have already affected teaching and learning, especially in communities considered vulnerable to attacks by criminal groups.
“You don’t know where the next attack might happen. In some places, learning happens with one eye open and the other closed.
“Teachers and students are constantly looking over their shoulders, particularly in remote communities where insecurity remains a major challenge,” he said.
Amba urged Nigerians to become more security conscious and support efforts to protect schools through timely information sharing and community vigilance.
“Security is everyone’s business. Community leaders, parents and ordinary citizens must remain vigilant and report suspicious movements whenever they observe them,” he said.
The union leader also said the government has a constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, including educational institutions and personnel.
“The government’s responsibility is to protect lives and property. Schools are public assets and the lives of teachers and students are equally important,” he said.
Amba also said the union had directed the Oyo State chapter to ask teachers to stay at home following the abduction of colleagues and students.
He said the decision was taken to protect teachers and prevent the situation from worsening while efforts were underway to secure the release of the victims.
“We have ordered teachers to stay at home until our colleagues and students are rescued because their safety remains our primary concern.
Communiqué issued at the end of the 109th Board Meeting of the Nigerian Communications Commission held on 25 May 2026
“If people are in captivity, learning cannot continue as normal. We felt it was necessary to take proactive measures given the circumstances,” he said.
Amba reiterated the union’s commitment to engaging government and stakeholders to ensure safer learning environments and uninterrupted access to quality education nationwide. (NAN)
