Amnesty International has warned that Nigeria risks “losing a generation” of children as escalating school abductions in the North continue to force mass shutdowns of learning institutions across seven states.
The global human rights organisation issued the warning following the recent mass 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.
The wave of attacks has prompted the indefinite closure of 20,468 schools across Bauchi, Benue, Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Yobe and Katsina states—deepening what education advocates say is the country’s worst learning crisis in decades.
In a statement, Amnesty International condemned what it called the federal government’s “persistent failure” to protect schoolchildren, citing at least 15 mass abductions since the 2014 Chibok attack.
Isa Sanusi, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, described the situation as “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 school children who are unsafe; hundreds of towns and villages have faced repeated attacks for years,” he said.
Sanusi warned that the government’s inaction breaches constitutional guarantees and violates 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 accused authorities of failing to investigate previous abductions or bring perpetrators to justice, saying this lack of accountability has emboldened armed groups and fuelled allegations of covert ransom payments.
The organisation also faulted government claims that St. Mary’s School ignored security warnings, noting that the Catholic Archdiocese of Kontagora denied receiving any such alerts.
“Investigations into the Chibok and Dapchi abductions showed they succeeded because of security lapses,” Amnesty added.
While acknowledging that school closures may offer short-term safety, Amnesty said the long-term consequences are devastating. It noted that many schools shut during the 2021 abduction crisis were never reopened, leaving thousands of children without any alternative form of education.
The group warned that the mass shutdowns are pushing children—especially girls—out of school permanently and forcing many into child labour to support struggling families.
“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 the federal and state governments to: increase investment in education and strengthen school security ;end attacks on rural communities where children are most vulnerable ; conduct transparent, independent investigations into all mass abductions since 2014 ; provide justice and support for victims and their families ; and use available resources to ensure children stay in school.
“The authorities must live up to their legal obligations. Nigeria cannot afford to lose another generation to insecurity and government neglect,” Sanusi warned.
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