In less than a month, armed bandits have abducted 24 female students at Federal University Gusau, Zamfara state on 22nd September, 2023. Another 5 female students were kidnapped on 4th October, 2023 at Federal university Dutsinma, Katsina state. Not yet uhuru, as 4 students of Nasarawa State University were reportedly abducted on the 9th October 2023.The abduction of students in Northern Nigeria has emerged as a deeply concerning and recurring issue in recent years. These incidences of abduction have far-reaching consequences on school enrollment rate in the region.
The abduction of school students in Northern Nigeria started more pronouncedly with the Chibok Girls school kidnap in the year 2014, in Borno state of Northeast Nigeria. At present, the incidences are now recurrent in Northwest Nigeria. The wave of these abductions threatens not only lives but also the education of young children. This has significantly affected the region’s school enrollment rates. Northern Nigeria has long struggled with educational challenges, including low enrollment rates, and the recurring abductions of school students exacerbate this problem. A 2022 UNESCO report noted that approximately 20 million Nigerian individuals of its approximately 200 million population are not enrolled in school. This amounts to 20 percent of Nigeria’s entire population and is more than the overall population of various countries in Africa.
Immediate consequences of school abductions in Northern Nigeria is the disruption of educational infrastructure. Schools, which are already under-resourced in conflict-prone areas of the region, as students and teachers are forced to close or operate under a climate of fear. This disruption prevents children from accessing education, resulting in a decline in enrollment rates. Parents, fearing for their children’s safety, are often reluctant to send them to schools that have been targeted for abductions.
In March 2021, primary and secondary schools in Birnin Gwari local government had to shut down following attacks on UBE Primary School, Rama where 3 teachers were abducted. As expected, the fear of abductions also affects teacher recruitment and retention in Northern Nigeria. Qualified teachers may be hesitant to work in areas where abductions are prevalent, as they risk becoming victims themselves. This shortage of qualified educators further hampers educational opportunities for children in the region, ultimately lowering enrollment rates.
No doubt these frequent occurrences of school abductions contributes to a downturn of school enrollment perception in Northern Nigeria. Parents and communities now see education as a risky endeavor rather than a pathway to a better future. This shift in perception can dissuade parents from prioritizing their children’s education, leading to decreased enrollment rates.
The long-term impact of reduced enrollment rates in Northern Nigeria is worrisome. A generation of children deprived of education is at risk of perpetuating cycles of poverty and underdevelopment. Lack of access to quality education can limit future opportunities for these children and hinder the region’s socio-economic growth. Addressing this issue requires a multi-pronged approach; including improved security measures, increased investment in education, and efforts to rebuild trust in the education system. Ultimately, ensuring the safety of students and promoting education in Northern Nigeria is not only a moral imperative but also essential for the region’s development.
Richard Dukpa Dambo writes from Kaduna, Nigeria.
The post What the heck about the Abduction of Students in Northern Nigeria? -By Richard Dukpa Dambo first appeared on Opinion Nigeria.
