The Kebbi State Government clarifies that only public and private schools located within cities and major towns are approved to resume academic activities on Monday, January 5, 2026, as part of the second term of the 2025/2026 session.
Speaking during a media briefing in Birnin Kebbi, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Halima Muhammad-Bande, explains that the directive is deliberately limited to urban centres, Mediaplusng.com reports. She says the decision follows security assessments aimed at protecting pupils, students, and teachers.
According to the commissioner, schools located on the outskirts of towns and in remote or vulnerable areas are excluded from the resumption order. She stresses that such schools should remain closed until further directives are issued by the state government.
Dr. Muhammad-Bande notes that the state has strengthened security arrangements around approved schools to ensure a safe learning environment. She assures parents, school owners, and education managers that safety remains the government’s top priority as academic activities resume in selected areas.
“We appeal to parents and guardians to allow their children and wards to return to school as scheduled. The government is doing everything humanly possible to secure all schools that are reopening,” the commissioner says, Mediaplusng.com understands.
She further explains that security agencies are working closely with education authorities to monitor schools in urban areas and respond swiftly to any emerging threats. The government, she adds, will continue to review the security situation before approving resumption for other locations.
The clarification follows reports and public concerns suggesting that all schools across Kebbi State were expected to reopen on January 5. The commissioner says the government considers it necessary to clear the confusion to avoid exposing children in high-risk areas to danger.
Dr. Muhammad-Bande reiterates that no school outside cities and major towns has approval to resume at this time. She warns school administrators against violating the directive, noting that sanctions may apply to defaulters.
Education stakeholders in the state welcome the clarification, describing it as a balanced approach that protects lives while allowing learning to continue where conditions are relatively safe. Some parents say the clear communication helps them make informed decisions about their children’s safety.
The state government assures residents that it is working continuously with security agencies to stabilise affected areas. It says once conditions improve, additional schools will be cleared to resume academic activities.
For now, only schools within Kebbi’s urban centres are to reopen on January 5, while those in remote communities remain on hold. The government urges the public to rely on official channels for updates and avoid misinformation.
The Kebbi State Government maintains that education remains a priority, but not at the expense of the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and school communities across the state.
