Nigeria TV Info

Attacks on Schools Globally Surge by Staggering 44%, Nigeria Ranks 4th – UN

The United Nations has revealed a shocking rise in violent attacks on schools worldwide, reporting a 44% increase in incidents over the past year. The latest report by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), presented at the UN headquarters, highlighted that schools and universities in conflict zones remain prime targets for armed groups, militias, and terrorists.

According to the findings, Nigeria ranks 4th globally among countries most affected by these attacks, largely due to the persistent threat of Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and abductions in northern regions. The report documented multiple cases of school invasions, mass kidnappings of students, and destruction of learning facilities, undermining the right to education and threatening the safety of teachers and learners alike.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as “a grave assault on the future of children and young people,” urging governments to strengthen protective measures, enforce accountability against perpetrators, and invest in safe education initiatives.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Education responded by reaffirming its commitment to the Safe Schools Initiative, a program designed to enhance school security through community policing, infrastructure fortification, and collaboration with international partners.

However, experts warn that without urgent intervention, the growing scale of attacks risks derailing progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education.