School abductions threaten education access in Nigeria, warns Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All

She stated that these attacks on schools pose a significant threat to the future of education in the country. Mahdi's warning comes amidst a resurgence of insecurity, with a recent police report indicating 50 bandit attacks within one week. Pupils, students, and teachers abducted from schools in Borno and Oyo states remain in captivity.

Public schools in Oyo State have been closed for about a month due to demands from the Nigerian Union of Teachers for adequate security measures. Mahdi emphasized that the persistent abductions are creating fear, discouraging access to education, and undermining efforts to improve school enrollment and learning outcomes. She warned of severe social and economic consequences if the safety of children and educational institutions is not guaranteed, highlighting the dangerous combination of rising out-of-school children and youth unemployment.

Mahdi called on federal, state, and local authorities to intensify efforts to address insecurity, secure the release of abducted children, and prioritize protecting children and ensuring uninterrupted access to education.