The Nigeria Union of Teachers said shutting down schools in Borno State over rising insecurity would amount to giving terrorists a victory in their bid to destabilise education in the state.
The National Publicity Secretary of the union, Yusuf Tom, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri on Tuesday.
Tom, who stood in for the state chairman, Zali Garba, maintained that the planned nationwide rally provides an opportunity for teachers to demand urgent government action over rising cases of abductions in schools.
He noted that the union was committed to keeping schools open despite security challenges, adding that closing them would embolden insurgents.
“We did not order the closure of schools in Borno State. If you close school, it is a victory for fear.
“Therefore, we will continue to encourage our teachers to teach in our respective schools, for us to continue to defeat their (terrorists’) game of seeing schools closed. That is what we are agitating for, we are not agitating for the closure of schools.” He stated.
Meanwhile, members of the Union in Borno State on Tuesday took to the government house and the streets to protest the rising abduction of learners in schools across the state.
The protest follows a directive from the national leadership of the NUT contained in a circular dated May 29, 2026, and signed by the union’s president, Audu Amba, and secretary, Clinton Ikpitibo.
The circular mandated all state chapters to stage solidarity rallies to draw attention to the worsening insecurity affecting schools.
