The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stark warning regarding the persistent closure of educational institutions in conflict-prone regions, asserting that the disruption of learning poses a direct threat to long-term national stability. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. George Akume, raised the alarm during a high-level meeting in Abuja, noting that the country’s education crisis is being worsened by insecurity that keeps children away from classrooms.
Speaking at the first triannual meeting of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), themed "Religious Literacy for National Cohesion," Akume emphasised that shutting down schools in unsafe areas creates a vacuum that undermines the country’s socio-economic future. He argued that it is impossible to foster a culture of progress when the safety of students cannot be guaranteed.
The SGF highlighted the psychological and social toll of the crisis, stating that a child cannot learn fraternity in fear and a nation cannot effectively preach literacy while its schools remain under constant threat. According to a statement released by his media aide, Yomi Odunuga, the government is now calling for a significant strengthening of policies aimed at creating safe schools and violence-free learning environments to ensure that education remains uninterrupted.
Beyond physical security, Akume urged a reform in the quality of instruction, particularly within religious and value-based education. He noted that while religious studies are already embedded in the national curriculum, there is an urgent need for better-trained educators and learning materials that promote tolerance and responsible citizenship. This shift is seen as essential to countering the extremist ideologies that often lead to school targeted violence.
The warning comes as the government prepares for the 2027 general elections, with the SGF calling on traditional and religious leaders to use their influence to prevent the manipulation of identity for political gain. He stressed that faith-based institutions must lead grassroots efforts to counter misinformation and stereotypes that trigger conflict. By combining religious literacy with media information literacy, the government hopes to combat the spread of hate speech that frequently precipitates social unrest and subsequent school closures.
To support these efforts, the Federal Government confirmed it has put measures in place to assist traditional and religious institutions in sustaining peace. Akume expressed optimism that through collaborative peace-building and a renewed focus on educational security, Nigeria can protect its youth from the deepening education crisis and ensure the country remains on a path toward cohesion and development.