In a sweeping decision that has sent shockwaves through the education sector, the Kogi State Government announced the temporary closure of all primary and secondary schools in the state for a period of two weeks beginning from February 4 2026. The directive affects public and private schools alike and has already triggered reactions from parents, teachers, students and educational stakeholders across the state
Officials say the move is aimed at protecting young learners and educators amid growing concerns over security threats in parts of the state Although the government has not issued a detailed public explanation for the decision sources familiar with the development indicate that it is tied to credible intelligence suggesting possible security challenges The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools Kogi branch confirmed that the midterm break was essentially fast forwarded to serve as an emergency break for students
In a memo sent to its members Pastor Reuben Jimoh the Kogi State Chairman of NAPPS informed school owners that normal academic activities would be suspended until February 16 2026 He made it clear that the directive must be obeyed by all schools without exception A statement circulated by some schools to parents explained that the closure was mandatory and that parents should encourage their children to continue reading at home during the break
The Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Ministry of Education Solomon Musa personally confirmed that schools across the state had been ordered to close but he declined to offer reasons for the sudden shutdown when contacted by newsmen The abrupt nature of the decision has spawned a range of theories in the public domain with some residents suggesting it could be a preparatory step for intensive security operations elsewhere in the state
Amid these developments, many parents and educators are struggling to make sense of the situation while balancing concerns for safety with the need to preserve academic progress for the over 500,000 pupils and students affected by the directive. Analysts say that this decision reflects wider pressures on institutions at every level of Nigerian society, as insecurity increasingly shapes public policy responses
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Kogi State Government Says Closure Is Preventive and Based on Credible Intelligence
In the face of escalating debate and speculation, the Kogi State Government moved quickly to clarify the motives behind the shutdown. On Tuesday, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, spoke to reporters in Lokoja, emphasising that the closure was not borne out of panic but was a preventive action taken with responsibility and foresight
Fanwo explained that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had acted on credible security intelligence obtained through close cooperation between state agencies and security operatives The government according to him preferred to act early rather than wait for situations that could lead to tragic disruptions in educational activities He made it clear that the welfare of children teachers and school staff remained a core priority and that the administration would not compromise on it
The Commissioner reiterated that all arms of government were coordinating to put in place protective measures and that security agencies have already intensified patrols and monitoring in sensitive areas across the state Fanwo expressed confidence that schools would reopen as soon as the environment was assessed to be safe He also acknowledged the disruption to the academic calendar and assured that steps would be taken to minimise the impact on teaching and learning
The clarifications provided by the state government have offered some reassurance to worried parents and teachers. However, there are still calls for more transparency, with civil society groups urging the government to release details of the intelligence that informed the decision. They argue that clear communication would help reduce fear and uncertainty while also strengthening trust between citizens and public institutions
Parents, Schools and Communities Adjust to Sudden School Shutdown
For many families across Kogi the shutdown has presented unexpected challenges Parents who balance work and caregiving responsibilities now face weeks of supervising children at home An mother of three pupils in Lokoja who spoke on condition of anonymity said the decision made sense from a safety point of view but had not come with enough guidance for families to plan effectively She expressed concern about the educational setbacks her children might experience during the break even as she prayed that no harm come to them should schools reopen soon
School proprietors educational advocates and administrators are now pushing for additional support mechanisms to help students continue learning remotely or through community study groups Some teachers have taken to social media and messaging platforms to organise virtual lessons while others are preparing take home assignments to ensure pupils stay engaged academically throughout the shutdown period These grassroots efforts reflect a resilient response from educators committed to sustaining momentum in learning despite the interruption
Local community leaders have also stepped in to complement government assurances. Many village heads and youth associations have volunteered to work with security committees and neighbourhood watch teams to ensure safety in their localities. Some religious organisations, which had planned midterm activities for their children’s groups, have postponed these until further notice, emphasising caution in the face of uncertainty
Still, parents and guardians say they need more regular updates from both the state government and security agencies. Greater clarity on when children are likely to resume school would go a long way in helping families rearrange schedules, financial commitments, and educational planning
Security Context and Broader Insecurity Trends Affecting Education Beyond Kogi State
The decision to close schools in Kogi state comes against a backdrop of mounting security concerns that have affected various parts of Nigeria in recent months. Across the north central region and neighbouring states, there have been repeated incidents of kidnappings, attacks on schools and other violent crimes that have shaken public confidence in the safety of educational environments
In late 2025, bandit attacks targeted several communities in Kogi itself, including incidents at religious gatherings and schools. In one tragic attack, more than a dozen worshippers were abducted, while others lost their lives, prompting heightened security alerts and action by state authorities
At the national level, lawmakers in Abuja have debated proposals to treat kidnapping as an act of terrorism. In these discussions, they noted that repeated attacks on schools, churches and highways contribute to an atmosphere of fear that disrupts daily life and national development
Officials and security experts argue that soft target locations like schools are increasingly vulnerable because they often lack the full protective presence of trained security personnel. In response, some states have bolstered joint patrols and community policing initiatives aimed at preventing incidents before they occur
Kogi State Government itself has previously rolled out coordinated patrols for schools, worship centres and other public gathering spots as part of efforts to maintain peace and deter criminal elements
Nonetheless, parents and educators in Kogi and other affected states maintain that sustainable peace requires a broader strategy that addresses root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, arms proliferation and weak infrastructure for policing in rural areas
Many Nigerians believe that stronger community engagement, improved intelligence gathering and investment in social services are critical to breaking the cycle of violence that has forced policies such as school closures to be considered as part of emergency responses
The education sector, which is fundamental to Nigeria’s future workforce and human capital development, now finds itself grappling with how to balance safety concerns with the urgent need to keep children in classrooms and learning safely
What Comes Next for Schools and Students in Kogi State
As the emergency school break continues, parents, teachers and students are watching closely for updates from the state government on when normal academic activities will resume. Officials have said that schools are expected to reopen on February 16 2026, subject to further assessment of the security situation and protective measures put in place
In the meantime, the government says it will continue to engage security agencies, work with communities, and equip schools with the necessary safeguards to protect lives. The emphasis on actionable intelligence, reinforced by close cooperation between state authorities and security operatives, suggests that reopening will only occur when it is considered safe and sustainable
Education stakeholders are also urging the government to utilise this period to set up long-term plans to support remote learning, introduce more robust emergency protocols, and strengthen communication channels with parents. These steps, they believe, will help schools to better withstand future disruptions without compromising learning outcomes
For now, parents are encouraged to use the break to encourage reading, assign home learning activities and engage children in discussions that reinforce what they have learnt so far. Students in their final year classes have been advised by teachers to revise past topics and continue preparation for upcoming examinations, even during the break
Elders, youth leaders and religious groups have also been encouraged to help spread information that promotes calm and unity rather than fear. This community-driven approach to safety and education underscores the shared responsibility that many people feel toward ensuring that children not only survive but thrive despite the difficult environment
As Kogi State navigates this period of uncertainty, what happens next in terms of security, school reopenin,g and community support will be closely watched by Nigerians at home and abroad
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