Amanze Chinonye
A coalition of prominent female advocates under the banner of Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW) has condemned the escalating wave of school abductions in northern Nigeria, warning that shutting down schools in response to insecurity represents a failure of governance rather than a protective strategy.
In a strongly worded statement, VIEW said it was “horrified” by Nigeria’s deepening security collapse following two major attacks in Kebbi and Niger states.
The group highlighted the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, and the more recent mass kidnapping of over 300 children and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.
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According to the organisation, the scale and frequency of the attacks amount to “terror” and reflect “a national failure on a scale that should shake the entire country.”
Despite public outrage, VIEW criticised government responses that have focused on shutting down schools across affected states. Authorities in Niger and Kebbi have ordered the closure of all schools, while federal unity schools across the North have also been directed to suspend academic activities.
VIEW described these measures as “decisions that reflect panic rather than protection,” insisting that school closures only hand victory to violent groups and further entrench educational inequalities.
“The North already carries the highest burden of female illiteracy in Nigeria, and girls face cultural, economic, and structural barriers to education,” the coalition said. “Every shuttered classroom widens inequality, deepens fear, and reinforces efforts whether deliberate or through neglect to keep northern girls uneducated and powerless.”
The group urged the government to reverse the trend of “retreat” in the face of violence and instead prioritise securing schools, intensifying intelligence-led rescue operations, and providing transparent daily updates on ongoing efforts.
It said children in Maga and Papiri like those previously abducted in Chibok, Dapchi, Yauri, Jangebe and other communities deserve full state protection rather than what it termed “hollow assurances and reactive closures.”
VIEW called for a national emergency response anchored on proactive security reforms, stressing that education must not become another casualty of insecurity.
“Nigeria is once again failing its daughters and sons,” the coalition declared. “The future of our region must not be surrendered to fear. Education is an imperative for our girls, and for all our children.”
The statement was signed by leading members of the coalition, including Asmau Joda, Maryam Uwais, Mairo Mandara, Aisha Oyebode, Fatima Akilu, Kadaria Ahmed, Larai Ocheja Amusan, and Ier Jonathan-Ichaver.
VIEW operates across the North-Central, North-East and North-West with a mission to advance inclusive, equitable, and just societies for women.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
