Several public and private schools in security-affected areas of Niger State will remain closed, even as the state government has approved the reopening of schools in safe locations from January 12, 2026.

The Niger State Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Hadiza Asabe Mohammed in a press statement announced that only schools located in areas assessed as safe and secure are allowed to resume academic activities, while those in unsafe or insecure communities will stay shut until cleared by security agencies.

The decision, according to the ministry, followed security assessments and consultations with relevant security authorities, aimed at protecting students, teachers, and school communities amid lingering insecurity in parts of the state.

As part of the reopening process, school authorities in approved areas have been directed to immediately register all returning students and submit the data to the ministry within one week of resumption for monitoring and documentation.

Local Government Area chairmen were also instructed to support the reopening by ensuring adequate security presence in and around school premises, working with security operatives.

To ensure transparency, the ministry said it will release an official list of public and private schools approved to reopen on January 12.