The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) says rising insecurity is threatening the future of education in Nigeria.
National President Mr Audu Amba told journalists on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva that teachers, learners and education stakeholders are worried about growing banditry, kidnapping and attacks on schools. He warned the problem, once manageable, is spreading and undermining efforts to build human capital.
He pointed to recent attacks in Kebbi and Niger states and said: “The situation is becoming alarming. We recently witnessed attacks in Kebbi State where a school was invaded and a teacher was brutally killed before family members. “We also had reports from Niger State, where students were taken into captivity. These incidents are deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” he said.
Amba called education the backbone of national development. “When education, especially basic education, comes under threat from insecurity, then something must have gone wrong somewhere within the system,” he said.
The union had hoped earlier incidents would be a wake-up call, but attacks are growing. He said developments in Oyo State show the threat is spreading. “It is a matter of concern for all Nigerians because when education is threatened by banditry and kidnapping, the future of our country becomes uncertain. “That is why government must be more proactive in addressing these security challenges before they cause irreversible damage to the education sector,” he said.
“We do not carry guns and we are not security agencies,” Amba said, stressing the NUT’s role: “The only weapon available to us is advocacy. We do not carry guns and we are not security agencies, but we must continue speaking up. “Our responsibility is to advocate for the safety of schools, our teachers and the learners entrusted to our care across the country,” he said.
He added: “You do not know where the next attack may occur. In some places, learning takes place with one eye open and one eye closed. “Teachers and learners are constantly looking over their shoulders, particularly in remote communities where insecurity remains a major challenge,” he said.
Amba urged citizens to help: “Security is everybody’s business. Community leaders, parents and ordinary citizens must remain alert and report suspicious movements whenever they observe them,” he said. He reminded government of its duty: “The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property. Schools are public assets, and the lives of teachers and learners are equally important,” he said.
After kidnappings in Oyo, the union told its state chapter to keep teachers at home. “We directed teachers to remain at home until our colleagues and the learners are rescued because their safety remains our primary concern. “If people are in captivity, learning cannot continue normally. We felt it was necessary to take proactive steps under the circumstances,” he said.
Amba said the NUT will keep pushing government and stakeholders for safer schools and uninterrupted education. (NAN)
