A security analyst, Amb. Capt. Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu (rtd), has warned that the Nigerian government’s decision to reopen the 47 Unity Colleges earlier closed due to security threats must be backed by concrete, long-term security measures, not official assurances alone.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Friday, Adamu said reopening the schools is a delicate but necessary policy choice.
He stressed that education remains a critical national asset that should not be disrupted for long periods.
“Education is too important to be sacrificed indefinitely. Prolonged closure of Unity Schools threatens national development, social cohesion, and youth stability,” he said.
He noted that from this perspective, the government’s decision to reopen the schools aligns with its constitutional responsibility to guarantee access to education.
However, the retired security expert cautioned that optimism must not override security realities.
“The original closure of these schools was based on real and credible threats such as kidnappings, banditry, and attacks on educational institutions. These threats have not disappeared; they have only evolved,” he warned.
According to him, reopening schools without addressing the root causes of insecurity would expose students, teachers, and parents to serious danger.
“Security is not measured by announcements but by preparedness, deterrence, and response efficiency. If the reopening is based merely on assurances rather than verifiable security benchmarks, it risks repeating past tragedies and eroding public confidence,” he said.
From a professional security standpoint, he listed key conditions that must be met, including permanent security deployment around and within school premises, rather than temporary patrols.
“There must be integrated intelligence sharing between the military, police, DSS, and local security structures,” he said.
He added that intelligence gaps remain a major weakness.
Adamu also emphasized the need for rapid response capability.
“Response must be within minutes, not hours. Delayed response has cost lives in the past,” he noted.
He further called for secure school infrastructure, including controlled access points, perimeter surveillance, and reliable emergency communication systems.
Beyond formal security agencies, the analyst stressed the importance of community involvement.
“Host communities must be active partners in intelligence gathering and early warning. Without community engagement, security efforts will always fall short,” he said.
Adamu warned that reopening schools based only on verbal assurances could lead to a repeat of past tragedies and damage public trust in government decisions.
“If reopening is based merely on promises rather than verifiable security benchmarks, it risks eroding public confidence,” he said.
“In conclusion, while reopening the Unity Schools is a positive step toward restoring normalcy and safeguarding the future of Nigerian children, it must be treated as a security-led operation, not an administrative decision. The success or failure of this policy will depend entirely on whether security measures are proactive, adaptive, and sustained,” the expert added
Recall that the Federal Government recently announced the reopening of 47 Unity Colleges that were earlier shut down due to security concerns.
The Ministry of Education made the announcement in a statement on Thursday, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding students and ensuring continuity of learning.
According to the ministry, “after the strengthening of security architecture within and around the affected schools, academic activities have fully resumed.”
The statement added that students have returned safely to their campuses, with some concluding their December academic programmes, while others have completed their examinations.
The ministry also assured parents, guardians, and the general public that the safety, welfare, and well-being of students remain a top priority.
