NUT president warns insecurity threatens Nigeria’s education future

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has voiced concern over the escalating insecurity across the country, warning that repeated attacks on schools jeopardise Nigeria’s educational future.

National President Audu Amba made the remarks while answering journalists on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.

Amba said teachers, learners and other education stakeholders are increasingly worried about the rising incidents of banditry, kidnapping and attacks on schools in several parts of Nigeria.

He explained that insecurity was initially manageable but has now spread, posing serious threats to basic education and undermining efforts to develop the nation’s human capital.

Amba cited recent attacks in Kebbi and Niger states where schools were targeted by criminals, resulting in 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,” he said.

“We also had reports from Niger State, where students were taken into captivity. These incidents are deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” he added.

Amba stressed that education remains the backbone of national development and must be protected from criminal elements that seek to disrupt learning activities across communities.

“When basic education comes under threat from insecurity, then something must have gone wrong somewhere within the system,” he said.

The NUT president noted that earlier incidents were expected to serve as a wake‑up call, but attacks are becoming more frequent.

He highlighted recent developments in Oyo State as further evidence that insecurity around schools is spreading and requires urgent, 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,” he said.

“That is why the government must be more proactive in addressing these security challenges before they cause irreversible damage to the education sector,” he urged.

Amba said the union’s role is to continue advocating for safer schools, teachers and learners, acknowledging it lacks the powers and resources 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,” he said.

“Our responsibility is to advocate for the safety of schools, our teachers and the learners entrusted to our care across the country,” he added.

He noted that fear and uncertainty have already affected teaching and learning, especially in communities vulnerable to attacks by criminal groups.

“You do not know where the next attack may occur. In some places, learning takes place with one eye open and one eye closed,” he said.

“Teachers and learners are constantly looking over their shoulders, particularly in remote communities where insecurity remains a major challenge,” he continued.

Amba urged Nigerians to become more security‑conscious and support efforts to protect schools through timely information sharing and community vigilance.

“Security is everybody’s business. Community leaders, parents and ordinary citizens must remain alert and report suspicious movements whenever they observe them,” he said.

The union leader also said that the government has a constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, including educational institutions and 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 announced that the union’s Oyo State chapter had directed teachers to remain at home following the abduction of colleagues and learners.

He said the decision was taken to protect teachers and prevent the situation from escalating while efforts were ongoing to secure the release of victims.

“We directed teachers to remain at home until our colleagues and the learners are rescued because their safety remains our primary concern,” he said.

“If people are in captivity, learning cannot continue normally. We felt it was necessary to take proactive steps under the circumstances,” he added.

Amba reiterated the union’s commitment to engaging government and stakeholders to ensure safer learning environments and uninterrupted access to quality education nationwide. (NAN)

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