The Kogi State Government has clarified that the temporary closure of schools across the state was a preventive measure based on credible security intelligence, aimed at protecting pupils, students, and teachers.
Speaking with journalists in Lokoja on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the decision was taken responsibly and not out of panic, stressing that the government preferred to act early rather than wait for avoidable incidents.
According to him, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all relevant agencies to put necessary safety measures in place to ensure schools resume academic activities as soon as it is considered safe, without disrupting the state’s academic calendar.
Fanwo commended security agencies for providing timely and actionable intelligence, describing the cooperation as a testament to the effectiveness of Kogi State’s security framework.
He assured residents that the government is fully in control of the situation, noting that security operatives are already working round the clock to identify, track, and dismantle criminal hideouts across the state.
“The safety of our children, teachers, and educational institutions remains non-negotiable. This administration will always prioritise lives while ensuring continuity in governance and education,” Fanwo said.
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Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Kogi State chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Pastor Reuben Jimoh, informed members that the state government had fast-tracked the midterm break into the emergency closure.
In a message to school owners, Jimoh stated that schools would resume on February 16, 2026, and warned that no school should operate in violation of the directive.
“The midterm break has been fast-forwarded into the emergency lockdown. Schools will resume on 16/02/2026. There will be no school until then,” he said.
