The Federal Government has denied issuing any order for schools across Nigeria to shut down following rising security concerns, describing a viral message claiming a nationwide closure as false and misleading. The clarification came after widespread panic triggered by a fresh attack on a private Catholic secondary school in Niger State, where dozens of students and teachers were abducted by armed terrorists.
In a statement released on 22 November 2025, the Federal Ministry of Education said the message circulating on social media, which claimed that all schools had been directed to close from 24 November 2025, did not originate from the Federal Government or any recognised authority.
The Ministry described the message as a dangerous rumour capable of causing unnecessary fear among parents, students, teachers, and school administrators. It called on Nigerians to stop sharing unverified information, especially on sensitive issues such as school safety.
The disclaimer was signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education. Folasade stated clearly that neither the Federal Government, the Ministry of Education, any state government, nor any security agency had issued such a directive.
She urged the public to rely only on official communication channels, saying:
“The public is strongly advised to rely strictly on verified information issued through the following official channels: The Federal Government, The Federal Ministry of Education, State Governments and State Ministries of Education, and recognised security agencies.”
The Ministry warned that sharing unverified notices contributes to confusion and anxiety, especially at a time when the country is battling increasing cases of school-related attacks in some parts of the North.
“Any announcement, advisory, or notice coming from unofficial or unverified sources should be ignored and not shared,” the statement said. It added that Nigerians must help “curb the spread of misinformation.”
The rumour of a nationwide school shutdown gained traction following the early-morning attack on St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School, located in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The attack, which happened between 2am and 3am on Friday, left residents in shock and further stirred fears about student safety across the country.
Niger State has experienced several school kidnappings in recent years. Many Nigerians still remember the 2021 Kagara school abductions and the high-profile kidnapping of Tegina Islamic School pupils. Because of this history, any new report of school attacks often triggers fear and speculation about government shutdown plans.
This latest attack created the perfect environment for rumours to spread, even though the Federal Government insisted that no school closure directive exists.
Nigeria has battled school kidnappings for more than a decade, especially in the North-West and North-East regions. The trend gained global attention in 2014, when Boko Haram abducted 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State. Since then, armed bandits and terror groups have frequently targeted schools, seeing them as soft targets for mass abductions intended to extract ransom.
States like Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina have been heavily affected. Many schools in rural communities have had to close temporarily, and some have not reopened years after attacks. The government has been working on improving security around schools through initiatives such as the Safe Schools Declaration, which aims to protect learning environments.
Because of this history, Nigerians tend to react strongly to any news involving attacks on schools. It also explains why the false rumour about a nationwide shutdown spread fast.
In its statement, the Federal Ministry of Education urged Nigerians not to panic as security agencies are responding to the Niger attack. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to keeping schools open and ensuring learning continues safely.
The government also called for cooperation from communities, saying citizens must report suspicious movements around schools and avoid creating fear with unverified messages.
According to the Ministry, “members of the public must help curb the spread of misinformation” by confirming any school-related announcement before sharing it.
Despite the clarification, many parents remain uneasy, especially in northern states where school attacks have occurred repeatedly. Some parents told local reporters they planned to keep their children at home for a few days until they felt reassured about security.
Teachers in Niger, Kaduna, and parts of Zamfara also expressed concerns, saying the latest kidnapping reinforces the need for stronger security presence in and around school premises.
Security agencies have already begun search and rescue operations in Niger State, though no official update has been released on the progress of the mission. Local vigilante groups and community volunteers have also joined the effort.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education said it will continue working with state governments and security agencies to strengthen the safety of students and teachers nationwide.
For now, the Ministry insists that schools remain open and that parents should disregard the viral message suggesting otherwise.
