School Closures Threaten Nigeria's Education and Stability

On Wednesday, Dr. Georg Akum, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), warned that ongoing school closures due to insecurity pose a serious threat to Nigeria's education system and long-term national stability. Speaking at the first triannual meeting of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council in Abuja, Akum stated that shutting down schools in unsafe areas disrupts learning and exacerbates the country's educational crisis.

He called for strengthened government policies to ensure safe, violence-free learning environments. Akum raised concerns about the impact of attacks on schools and prolonged closures in unsafe areas, which worsen the educational crisis.

He urged religious leaders to play an active role in preventing violence and fostering unity, particularly as the 2027 general elections approach. Akum emphasized the importance of religious literacy and media literacy in combating misinformation and hate speech, and he expressed optimism that the deliberations at the NIREC meeting would yield practical solutions to strengthen national cohesion.