The Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) has warned that the surge in terrorist attacks on schools is pushing the country’s education system toward collapse. Since the 2014 Chibok abduction, there have been 92 school invasions, 2,500 learners abducted, over 180 children killed, 90 injured, and more than 90 still missing, with the latest attack at St. Mary’s School, Niger State, on November 21.

NAE highlighted that over one million children now fear attending school, describing the situation as shattered dreams, grieving families, and a generation at risk. While noting government initiatives like the Safe Schools Declaration and the National Plan for Financing Safe Schools, the Academy stressed these measures are grossly inadequate, leaving schools in vulnerable regions as soft targets.

The Academy called for full protection of learners and staff, strict punishment for perpetrators, improved intelligence coordination, trauma care, and compensation for families, warning that failure to act would jeopardize Nigeria’s future human capital and national development.