Nigeria has been ranked 4th in the world for attacks on schools, with 2,436 cases reported in the past year, the United Nations says. UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted a 44 per cent rise in school attacks worldwide as he marked the International Day to Protect Education on September 9.
The countries with the most verified attacks are Israel/Palestine (8,554), Democratic Republic of Congo (4,043), Somalia (2,568), Nigeria (2,436), and Haiti (2,269). Guterres warned that every attack affects not just students and teachers but whole communities.
The UN report also showed a 34 per cent increase in sexual violence against children and a 17 per cent rise in child abductions and recruitment in conflict areas.
Sadly, as a result of the insecurity, many schools are either closed or running online. As a result, over 420,000 children now learn entirely online, and one million use hybrid learning. From January to July 2025, UN partners supported 370,000 children and teachers in vulnerable communities, stressing the urgent need to keep schools safe.
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