The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that Nigeria’s education sector is under dual attack, both from armed bandits and inadequate government support.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, spoke on Monday during the opening session of the 2025 Harmattan School organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja. He described the situation as a severe threat to students, teachers, and the nation’s educational system.
“Education in Nigeria is under attack. It’s under attack by bandits in the bush and bandits in government houses,” Piwuna said. “While the bandits are attacking and killing instantly, our leaders are attacking and killing education installmentally.”
He added that ASUU is awaiting the outcome of ongoing conciliatory talks with the Federal Government before deciding on its suspended nationwide strike. The meeting, reconvened on Monday, focuses on unresolved issues from the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement.
On his part, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, said the rising attacks on schools were a grave threat to the education system. He warned that teachers may be forced to withdraw from volatile areas if the government fails to provide adequate security.
“Most states are closing schools. We are sending a message that necessary security guarantees must be provided,” Amba said. He called on the Federal Government to rescue abducted students and safeguard all schools nationwide.
In recent weeks, northern states have witnessed a surge in kidnappings of students and teachers, including the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State, where a vice principal was also killed. The incidents have led to temporary closures of public schools and heightened security alerts at federal unity colleges.
The NUT is expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday to further outline its concerns over the deteriorating security situation in schools.
