President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigeria’s state governments to stop constructing boarding schools in remote or poorly secured locations, citing the growing threats to students’ safety amid a recent surge in school kidnappings.
Speaking during a national security address, Tinubu stressed that boarding schools established far from adequate protection are increasingly vulnerable to attacks by armed groups — a risk that can no longer be ignored.
His warning follows a spate of abductions targeting schoolchildren and staff: recent attacks on boarding schools in Kebbi State and Niger State have underscored how precarious the situation has become, especially for institutions in isolated communities.
Tinubu also urged religious institutions — mosques and churches — to seek police or security protection for gatherings in vulnerable areas, as part of a broader call for enhanced community safety.
Meanwhile, several states have already responded: some have shut down hostel-based learning or converted boarding schools to day schools; others are reviewing school-siting practices to reduce risk.
Implication: The president’s directive suggests a shift in national educational policy — emphasising that student safety should guide decisions about where and how schools are built, rather than just tradition or convenience.
