The Adamawa State Government has started fencing government secondary schools, particularly in rural communities, to protect pupils and teachers from kidnapping and other security threats. This move is part of efforts to address persistent concerns about school safety in Nigeria. The Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Commission (ASUBEC), Dr. Murtala Umar, announced the development to journalists in Yola on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
According to Dr. Umar, the administration of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is concerned about the safety of pupils and teachers, and fencing work is ongoing across government secondary schools in the state. The initiative includes providing watertight security and training teachers on security tips to detect potential threats and take proactive measures. This approach aims to address the vulnerability of pupils and teachers to attacks and abductions in rural communities.
The state plans to recruit an additional 3,000 teachers through a community-based process to address staffing shortages in the education sector. This recruitment strategy is designed to ensure that teachers employed for rural schools are drawn from the communities where the schools are located. Dr. Umar explained that this approach will help mitigate the issue of teachers transferring to towns, leaving schools in remote communities with insufficient staff.
The ASUBEC chairman also disclosed that the state had accessed and utilised funding from the Universal Basic Education Commission, supporting the construction of more than 25,000 classrooms across schools in Adamawa. This investment in infrastructure aims to improve the learning environment and provide a safer space for pupils and teachers. The government’s efforts focus on both physical security improvements and strengthening staffing in schools.
Between 2021 and 2023, the state recruited more than 4,000 teachers and recently concluded another recruitment exercise involving 5,000 teachers. The latest measures combine physical security improvements with plans to enhance staffing in schools, particularly in rural areas. However, the fencing exercise is ongoing, and the announcement does not confirm that all government secondary schools have already been secured.
Dr. Umar assured that the government is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of pupils and teachers. The community-based recruitment process is expected to enhance the quality of education and provide a more stable learning environment. The state government’s efforts to address school safety concerns and improve education infrastructure are ongoing.
The initiative to fence schools and recruit more teachers demonstrates the Adamawa State Government’s commitment to addressing the security challenges facing schools in the state. The government’s measures aim to provide a safer and more conducive learning environment for pupils and teachers, particularly in rural communities.
Key points
- The Adamawa State Government has begun fencing government secondary schools to protect pupils from kidnappers.
- The state plans to recruit an additional 3,000 teachers through a community-based process.
- Over 25,000 classrooms have been constructed using education funding in Adamawa state.
