Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience

Persistent insecurity and recurrent school abductions in several Nigerian states, particularly in the North-East, North-West, and parts of the Middle Belt, have forced prolonged school closures, disrupting learning for millions of children. These disruptions disproportionately affect already fragile communities with the lowest literacy rates, high dropout levels, and entrenched gender and socioeconomic inequalities in access to education.

Without deliberate intervention, insecurity-driven school shutdowns risk deepening educational exclusion, fuelling youth vulnerability to recruitment by violent groups, and undermining long-term human capital development.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria rapidly deployed a range of remote learning models, including radio and television lessons, online platforms, mobile learning applications, printed self-study materials, and community-based learning hubs to mitigate the impact of nationwide school closures. Although uneven in reach and effectiveness, these models demonstrated that alternative education delivery systems can sustain learning even in contexts of severe disruption.

This policy brief examines how the emergency remote learning strategies developed during the COVID-19 shutdown can be adapted and institutionalised for use in insecurity-affected states.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/office-for-strategic-preparedness-and-resilience-ospre_resilient-education-models-in-fragile-at-risk-activity-7424566796319539200-SuGi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABw57EYB7C407yTAvk9VOJvSwVtY1gIuYd8

In recent years, attacks on schools in Nigeria have underscored a growing and urgent threat to education, child safety, and community stability. Armed groups, bandits, and criminal networks have targeted schools across several regions, disrupting learning, forcing prolonged closures, and placing students, teachers, and staff at risk. These incidents not only violate the basic rights of children to a safe education but also deepen insecurity in affected communities and erode public trust in state capacity to protect citizens.

This policy brief examines the nature and impact of armed violence against schools in Nigeria, identifies gaps in current protection measures, and outlines actionable strategies to safeguard educational environments. By strengthening coordination between security forces, educational authorities, local communities, and civil society, the brief argues for a comprehensive approach that balances immediate protective measures with long-term resilience building.

Prioritizing the safety of schools is essential to ensuring uninterrupted access to education, promoting social cohesion, and advancing national development goals.

Safeguarding Schools from Armed Violence in Nigeria | Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) In recent years, attacks on schools in Nigeria have underscored a growing and urgent threat to education, child safety, and community stability. Armed groups, bandits, and criminal networks have targeted schools across several regions, disrupting learning, forcing prolonged closures, and placing stu...

Festive seasons bring out the best in Nigerians - our kindness, compassion and communal ethos - erupt in expressions of charity and generousity.

Warm acts of sharing and exercises in giving can be marred by unanticipated risks and result in severe harm to the vulnerable.

Here are a few tips to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our people during this period.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/office-for-strategic-preparedness-and-resilience-ospre_ospre-crowd-safe-advisory-for-festive-seasons-activity-7409889912373637121-PrEo?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABw57EYB7C407yTAvk9VOJvSwVtY1gIuYd8

OSPRE CROWD SAFE ADVISORY FOR FESTIVE SEASONS | Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) Festive seasons bring out the best in Nigerians - our kindness, compassion and communal ethos - erupt in expressions of charity and generousity. Warm acts of sharing and exercises in giving can be marred by unanticipated risks and result in severe harm to the vulnerable. Here are a few tips to ensur...

Last Thursday, the Office of Strategic Preparedness and Resilience organised an executive roundtable dialogue on early warning and crisis preparedness under the auspices of our flagship peacebuilding program, the CONCORD INITIATIVE in Abuja.

The roundtable convened stakeholders in the early warning domain to engage in horizon-scanning on the trends that will define Nigeria’s landscape in 2025.

Since its inception in 2022, The Consortium for Conflict Resolution and Development, (CONCORD) Initiative has promoted the convergence of peacebuilders, security actors and development practitioners across subnational jurisdictions across Nigeria.

Last week, the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) convened a one-day expert roundtable to discuss climate change, the program themed “Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Response Outlook for 2025 " held in Abuja and was a platform for meaningful dialogue and interaction among key stakeholders in the climate and environment sector.

Nigeria, like many other nations, faces a wide array of natural and man-made hazards, including floods, droughts, epidemics, and climate-related disasters. To mitigate these risks, it is critical to implement timely and effective early warning systems (EWS) alongside robust response mechanisms.

OSPRE is mandated to promote human security in Nigeria by fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience within strategic institutions and communities.

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We are happy to announce that our upcoming 2-day Conference on Multidimensional Security Threats will be hybrid, offering both in-person and virtual participation. Whether you prefer to join us on-site or from the comfort of your home, you'll gain valuable insights on Digital Peacebuilding for Sustainable Peace in Nigeria🕊️

Don’t miss this opportunity—mark your calendars and register in advance for this meeting: https://buff.ly/3XxOO1G

Join us on Nigeria Info 95.1 Abuja by 2pm today as we discuss the role of cybersecurity in peacebuilding from an early warning warning perspective.

You can listen online using this link: http://radio.garden/listen/nigeria-info-abuja-95-1-fm/vRtq3WWw

Neem Foundation | Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience | Karuna Center for Peacebuilding

Stay tuned