-
Amnesty International says Nigeria faces a “lost generation” as mass school abductions force 20,468 schools to shut across seven northern states.
-
Over 300 pupils and teachers kidnapped in Niger State, plus 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi, highlighting deepening insecurity and government “failure to protect children.”
-
Group accuses authorities of security lapses, lack of justice, and ignored warnings, urging urgent reforms, stronger school security, and accountability for mass kidnappings.
Amnesty International has cautioned that Nigeria is at risk of “losing a generation” of children as escalating school abductions across the North continue to trigger mass shutdowns of learning institutions in seven states.
The warning follows the kidnapping of more than 300 pupils and teachers at St. Mary’s School, Papiri in Niger State, and the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi State.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
The attacks have led to the indefinite closure of 20,468 schools across Bauchi, Benue, Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Yobe and Katsina, signalling what education experts describe as the worst learning crisis in decades.
In a statement, Amnesty International condemned what it described as the federal government’s “persistent failure” to protect schoolchildren, noting that Nigeria has recorded at least 15 mass school abductions since the 2014 Chibok incident.
READ ALSO: Nigeria Wins Gold Medal in Wrestling, Athletics at Islamic Solidarity Games
Isa Sanusi, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said the situation represents “an assault on childhood and an utter failure of the government to guarantee safety in schools.”
“What we are witnessing in northern Nigeria is a collapse of protection. It is not only schoolchildren who are unsafe; hundreds of towns and villages have faced repeated attacks for years,” he said.
Sanusi added that the government’s inaction violates constitutional guarantees as well as international treaties Nigeria has ratified, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
Amnesty International also accused authorities of failing to properly investigate previous abductions or bring perpetrators to justice, arguing that the lack of accountability has emboldened armed groups and fuelled allegations of covert ransom payments.
The organisation faulted official claims that St. Mary’s School ignored security warnings, pointing out that the Catholic Archdiocese of Kontagora denied receiving any alerts.
“Investigations into the Chibok and Dapchi abductions showed they succeeded because of security lapses,” Amnesty added.
While acknowledging that shutting schools may provide short-term protection, Amnesty warned that the long-term consequences are severe. It noted that many schools closed during the 2021 abduction wave were never reopened, leaving thousands of children without alternative access to learning.
The group further warned that the mass closures are pushing children—especially girls—out of school permanently and driving many into child labour as families struggle to survive.
“Even before this latest wave of kidnappings, Nigeria was already failing to uphold the right to education. Closing thousands of schools indefinitely will deepen the crisis,” Sanusi said.
Amnesty International urged federal and state governments to increase investment in education, strengthen school security, halt attacks on rural communities, investigate all mass abductions since 2014, and provide justice and support for affected families.
“The authorities must live up to their legal obligations. Nigeria cannot afford to lose another generation to insecurity and government neglect,” Sanusi warned.
