Imagine going to university… and suddenly being told you have ONE HOUR to pack your bags and run for your life. That’s exactly what happened to thousands of students in Nigeria last week.

In November 2025 alone, armed gangs kidnapped between 300 and 400 school kids across the country. These aren’t random crimes – bandits are targeting schools because they know terrified parents and the government will pay big ransoms. Schools have become the easiest, scariest “ATMs” for criminals.

Because of this wave of terror, at least 10 universities and colleges in Kebbi and Bauchi states have been closed indefinitely. Lectures stopped. Hostels emptied. Dreams put on hold.

Here’s what happened:

🔥 Kebbi State (23 November)

The government suddenly ordered EVERY university and college to shut down.

– Kebbi State University of Science and Technology

– State Polytechnic

– College of Education

– College of Health Sciences

…and more.

One university gave students just 60 minutes to leave campus – even those living in private hostels outside! “Leave now or risk your life,” the message said.

🔥 Bauchi State (24 November)

Federal Polytechnic Bauchi also slammed its doors shut after fresh attacks in the area.

A final-year student told reporters:

“We just finished exams. Some of us are writing our final projects. We’re so close to graduation… and now everything stops. We’re scared, angry, and sad – but staying alive is more important than anything.”

Why are criminals attacking students?

A Nigerian education expert explained it simply:

“Terrorists know schools are soft targets. Kidnap 20 or 30 students and the whole country panics. The government jumps. Parents empty their savings. It’s quick money.”

This isn’t new – but it’s getting worse.

Remember 2014? Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls from Chibok. That was about ideology. Today’s kidnappers just want cash. They’re businessmen with guns.

Just in the last few months:

– September 2025 → 30 university students snatched in Zamfara

– October 2025 → 5 female students taken from their hostel in Katsina

– November 2025 → 25 schoolgirls kidnapped in Kebbi (3 escaped, 1 teacher killed)

Even lecturers aren’t safe – bandits murdered a deputy vice-chancellor earlier this year.

The big, scary question everyone is asking:

When will students be able to go back to class?

Experts say closing the universities is the right move for now – better alive than kidnapped. But if the shutdowns drag on, thousands of bright young Nigerians might give up on education completely, or leave the north (or even the country) forever.

President Tinubu has sent the Defence Minister to Kebbi and says some kidnapped kids have been rescued, but parents are still waiting, praying, and crying.

For now, lecture halls are silent. Campuses are empty. And students are hiding at home, wondering if their dreams of becoming doctors, engineers, and teachers will ever come true.

Nigeria’s young people just want to study in peace. Right now, that feels impossible.

Also Read: Millions of Children Are Not Going to School – What UNICEF Says