The Secretary General of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, has cautioned that Nigeria risks a deepening generational crisis if repeated school abductions continue without decisive intervention, warning that the trend could undermine decades of progress in education.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP, Uthman noted that growing insecurity in schools is already affecting student performance and emotional wellbeing, with recent incidents in Oyo and Borno States renewing fears across the country. Borno has endured over a decade of insurgency related school attacks, while a school invasion in a rural Oyo community has continued to spark panic.

"The long term consequences of repeated school abductions on Nigeria's education system are dire and far reaching," he stated. "This pattern of violence instils a deep seated fear in parents, discouraging them from sending their children to school. It disrupts learning continuity, leading to significant knowledge gaps and affecting the academic trajectory of countless students."

He explained that such attacks reshape community attitudes towards education, particularly in rural and hard to reach areas, where school attendance often drops sharply after each incident. "Furthermore, it can lead to an increase in out of school children, exacerbating social and economic challenges. This crisis threatens to undermine decades of progress in education and has the potential to create a lost generation if not addressed decisively," he warned.

Uthman insisted that restoring confidence in the education system requires a structured and sustained national strategy rather than reactive responses. "The government bears the primary responsibility for restoring confidence in our education system and safeguarding our schools," he remarked.

He also raised concerns about the ongoing WAEC examinations, noting that students and teachers held captive in some areas cast doubt on the fairness of the process. "Candidates in affected regions or those experiencing trauma are already at a significant disadvantage. Fear, anxiety, and disrupted study routines directly affect concentration, memory, and overall performance," he disclosed.

Outlining a multi pronged approach, Uthman called for visible security protocols, perimeter fencing, and surveillance systems around schools, alongside stronger intelligence led prevention. "Enhancing intelligence gathering to proactively identify and neutralise threats before they materialise," he said, adding that community partnerships and psychosocial support for victims were equally vital. "Providing comprehensive psychological and academic support to students and educators who have been victims of abductions," he added.