The Kebbi State Government has directed all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state to reopen for the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session from Monday 5 January 2026. The order was issued in separate statements signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi State Universal Basic Education Board, Isah Ibrahim, and the Deputy Director (Academics) of the Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education, Aliyu Bagarawa.
Kebbi State schools reopen
The reopening follows a temporary closure that was instituted after armed men suspected to be bandits abducted 25 Maga students in Zuru. The state government said the decision to resume classes reflects its commitment to protecting the academic calendar and ensuring pupils and students do not lose further instructional time.
Officials asked school administrators, education secretaries, principals, head teachers, teachers, parents and pupils to take note of the directive and to comply strictly. They urged school authorities to complete all necessary preparations to guarantee a smooth take-off, including ensuring the readiness of staff and facilities across both urban and rural schools.
In a related circular, Zonal Education Officers, principals, head teachers and proprietors of private schools were informed that the first week of the second term will be reserved for the conduct of outstanding first-term examinations. Normal academic activities and classroom teaching are scheduled to resume on Monday 12 January 2026, immediately after those examinations conclude.
The ministry warned that all schools must follow the approved resumption timetable and examination schedule. Monitoring teams will be deployed to ensure compliance and to assess schools’ preparedness. The statement stressed the importance of punctuality and parental cooperation, saying that the support of parents and guardians is critical to achieving effective teaching and learning.
Education stakeholders welcomed the directive, describing it as timely and necessary to sustain academic discipline and improve learning outcomes. Several head teachers contacted by local media expressed relief that the government had set a clear timetable and indicated they would work with community leaders to ensure children return to class safely.
State officials reiterated their concern for the welfare of pupils and teachers and said security agencies would maintain vigilance in areas previously affected by banditry. While the statement did not detail new security measures, it noted that the reopening decision was taken after assessments deemed it safe to proceed with the school calendar.
Parents were advised to make arrangements for their children to return promptly and to liaise with school authorities about any specific safety measures or attendance requirements. School heads were instructed to verify staff availability and to ensure that facilities are in a condition suitable for examinations and routine teaching.
Observers said the move to resume classes illustrates the state government’s desire to limit disruption to learners’ progress while balancing safety concerns. By allocating the first week to pending examinations, authorities aim to clear administrative backlogs and allow teachers to focus on teaching from the second week onward.
The Kebbi State directive comes amid wider efforts in several Nigerian states to manage education disruptions caused by insecurity. Officials and educators will be watching closely to see how the resumption unfolds and whether the monitoring teams can secure a sustained return to orderly academic activities across the state.
Key Takeaways:
- Kebbi State schools reopen on Monday 5 January 2026 following a temporary closure sparked by the abduction of students in Zuru.
- The first week of term will be used to complete outstanding first-term examinations, with normal teaching resuming on 12 January.
- Authorities will deploy monitoring teams and require school heads to ensure staff, facilities and security measures are ready for resumption.
