The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has directed the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges (also known as Federal Government Colleges) across several states, citing escalating security threats and the need to prevent potential abductions or attacks on students and staff.
The directive was contained in a circular issued on Friday by the Federal Ministry of Education, signed by Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa (or Maruf Alausa in some reports).
The circular, referenced FME/DSSE/GM/S.160/C.II and dated November 21, 2025, states: “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.”
This decision comes amid a fresh wave of school abductions in northern Nigeria, including recent incidents in Kebbi and Niger States where dozens of students were kidnapped by armed bandits. The affected unity colleges are primarily located in the North-West, North-East, and North-Central regions, which have seen heightened banditry and terrorist activities.
Full List of Affected Federal Unity Colleges:
The 41 schools ordered shut include:
1. FGGC Minjibir
2. FTC Ganduje
3. FGGC Zaria
4. FTC Kafanchan
5. FTC Dayi
6. FGC Daura
7. FGGC Tambuwal
8. FSC Sokoto
9. FTC Wurno
10. FGC Gusau
11. FGC Anka
12. FGGC Gwandu
13. FGC Birnin Yauri
14. FTC Zuru
15. FGGC Kazaure
16. FGC Kiyawa
17. FTC Hadejia
18. FGGC Bida
19. FGC New-Bussa
20. FTC Kuta-Shiroro
21. FGA Suleja
22. FGC Ilorin
23. FGGC Omu-Aran (or Omuaran)
24. FTC Gwanara
25. FGGC Bakori
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
(Note: Minor variations in school names may appear across reports, e.g., FTC Kafancha or FGGC Omuaran.)
Principals have been instructed to ensure full compliance, with no specified reopening date announced. Parents and guardians are advised to make arrangements for students' safe return home.
The move underscores growing concerns over school safety in Nigeria, where mass abductions have become recurrent, particularly in rural and northern areas. Similar precautionary closures have been implemented by some state governments in recent days.
The Federal Ministry of Education has yet to release further details on alternative learning arrangements or when the schools might resume operations, pending improved security assessments.
