About 21,690 students have lost access to continued primary education in 29 schools across four Wards including Mallamawa, Bugaje, Gangara and Farfaru in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, due to insecurity and the deterioration of school buildings.
An investigation by Hikaya Newspaper found that the situation has affected schools in different parts of Jibia, with some of them unable to conduct classes since 2014. Residents said the lack of access to schools has affected children’s education and raised concerns about the future of communities in the affected areas.
In Mallamawa Ward, 10 schools are affected, with 10,225 students losing access to continued education. The schools include Government Secondary School, Shinfida; Sule Rimi Model Primary School, Shinfida; Fafara Primary School; Kyebbo Primary School; Tagwaye Primary School; Kyebbo Nomadic Primary School; Gurbi-Baure Primary School; Tsayau Primary School; Tsamben Bakwai Primary School; and Tsamben Kolinbo Primary School.
In Bugaje Ward, seven schools are included in the report, with a total of 5,390 students affected. They are Gawaro Primary School, Gakurdi Primary School, Kange Nomadic Primary School, Yadakore Primary School, Walawa Primary School, Murtuku Primary School and Tantagarya Primary School.
In Gangara Ward, six schools with 5,010 students are affected. The schools include Gangara Primary School, Tankuri Primary School, Kanwa Primary School, Jaja Primary School, Falale Primary School and Maje Primary School. Similarly, in Farfaru Ward, six schools with 1,065 students are affected, including Zandam, Dogon Dutsi, Mazanya Ta Abu, Garin Jitta, Farfaru and Garin Gonau Primary Schools.
A resident told Hikaya Newspaper that some of the schools are not operating because of insecurity, while others have deteriorated buildings. He said some school buildings are in need of repairs, while some schools with relatively sound structures are not operating because of security concerns.
The resident said community members had submitted complaints to education authorities and the Jibia Local Government administration, asking for support to restore learning activities. He said they also followed recommendations given by education officials, including the establishment of School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), but classes have still not resumed in the affected schools.
Another resident said parents had tried to ensure that children continued learning, even through temporary arrangements. He said some schools in Mallamawa Ward had been able to use some Islamic schools as temporary learning centres to continue educating the children. However, he said government intervention was still needed to provide a lasting solution.
Residents said they had contacted education officials and different government authorities, including local and state education officials, to seek a solution. They also said discussions had been held with the Chairman of Jibia Local Government about reopening some of the schools, but as of the time of developing this report, no clear information had been provided on when classes would resume.
The report also linked the problem to the security challenges that the area has faced for a long time. In February 2025, reports indicated that a peace agreement had been reached between some communities in Jibia and criminal groups as part of efforts to improve security. However, reports obtained by Hikaya Newspaper in July 2026 indicated that some attacks, loss of lives and property continued in parts of eastern Jibia, a situation residents said was further affecting education.
Residents called on the Katsina State Government, Jibia Local Government, LGEA and SUBEB to intensify efforts to restore learning in the affected schools, repair damaged buildings and provide a secure environment that would enable children to return to school. They said access to education is one of the important ways of securing the future of children and promoting community development.
Hikaya Newspaper contacted relevant stakeholders to obtain the authorities’ response to the issue. However, as of the time of developing this report, no direct statement had been received from the Jibia Local Government administration, Katsina State Government, LGEA or SUBEB responding to the concerns raised by residents.