The Kwara State Government has approved the reopening of public and private schools across the state beginning Monday, 5 January, with the exception of communities currently placed under special security surveillance.
The decision was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, following a comprehensive review of the prevailing security situation and ongoing operations by security agencies.
According to the statement signed by the ministry’s Press Secretary, Peter Amogbonjaye, the phased resumption is aimed at safeguarding pupils and teachers while security forces continue their work in affected areas.
“We welcome our children and teachers back to school across the state. Learning activities are to resume immediately in all areas except those earlier identified to be under special security surveillance,” the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbebe, said.
He explained that the staggered approach was deliberately designed to protect lives while ensuring that education continues without unnecessary disruption.
“This structured school resumption is designed to keep our children out of harm’s way amid renewed security operations. Normal school activities will resume in the affected communities as soon as it is safe to do so,” the commissioner added.
The ministry further disclosed that it is working closely with the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to ensure a smooth and orderly return to classrooms across the state.
“In collaboration with TESCOM and SUBEB, the ministry wishes our children, teachers, and parents a blessed New Year and an academic session filled with great insights and successes,” the statement read.
To bridge learning gaps in areas where schools remain closed, the government also announced the launch of a radio-based learning programme. The initiative, supported by UNICEF and the Nigeria Learning Passport, is scheduled to commence on Monday.
Under the programme, educational lessons will be broadcast on Midland FM 99.1 at 11:00 a.m. on Mondays, 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, and 2:30 p.m. on Fridays, with plans to expand to additional radio stations in the coming weeks.
The reopening comes after schools in parts of the state were shut in November 2025 due to rising security concerns, particularly in Kwara South.
On 20 November, the state government ordered the closure of schools in Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti Local Government Areas following reports of fresh security threats. The directive was communicated through the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara State wing.
In a circular signed by its chairman, Yusuf Agboola, the union stated that the closure was “occasioned by the security challenges ravaging the area and the efforts of the government to control the situation.”
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