Ummatee-C4PASS, a Kano-based civil society organisation, has raised alarm over the continuous closure of schools across Northern Nigeria due to worsening insecurity, warning that the development could have long-term negative consequences on education, peace and future development in the region.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Ghazali Ibrahim Ungogo, the organisation expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks by bandits, terrorists and kidnappers which have forced both the Federal and State Governments to shut down several schools as a safety precaution.
According to the group, while the protection of students remains paramount, shutting down schools without an alternative learning mechanism poses severe risks to children’s educational and social well-being.
> “Northern Nigeria already has the highest number of out-of-school children globally. Closing schools without an immediate alternative deepens inequality, widens learning gaps, and exposes children—especially girls—to early marriage, child labour, exploitation and other dangers,” the statement reads.
### **Call for Digital Transition**
The group urged the Federal Government, State Governments, and key education MDAs to urgently introduce a Distance Learning System (DLS) for students affected by school shutdowns, insisting that education must continue even during crisis situations.
Ummatee-C4PASS proposed the deployment of a functional e-learning platform aligned with the Nigerian curriculum, provision of digital learning devices, free internet data support, access to recorded and downloadable lessons, and the engagement of qualified online tutors to ensure uninterrupted learning.
It also called for the immediate upload of textbooks, WAEC/NECO learning materials, audio-visual contents, and past questions to a centralized platform.
### **Protection of Exam Candidates**
The organisation further recommended that SSCE candidates affected by insecurity should be registered in physically-secured nearby schools for WAEC and NECO examinations, to reduce travel risks and encourage continuity.
### **Regional Adoption**
Ummatee-C4PASS appealed to State Governments across the North to adopt similar digital learning models to ensure academic calendars are not permanently disrupted by insecurity.
### **Education Must Not Stop – Group Warns**
The group warned that allowing insecurity to stop children’s education would create long-term socioeconomic consequences for Nigeria.
> “The insecurity crisis is a national emergency, but education must remain protected. Nigeria cannot afford to lose its future to insecurity,” the statement added.
Ummatee-C4PASS pledged readiness to partner with government, development organisations and civil society groups to support the rollout and monitoring of a functional digital learning framework across affected communities.