Schools in Kwara State have been ordered to reopen by the state government, following what officials are calling a marked improvement in the security situation.
All schools, public and private, are to start classes on Monday, February 2, 2026, according to a statement issued on Sunday by Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, commissioner for education and human capital development.
The decision was reached after reviewing ongoing security operations across the state, according to Dr. Olohungbebe. School heads and key education stakeholders have already been formally informed of this.
Many elementary and secondary schools in Kwara South have been closed since November 2025 as a preventative measure, keeping students at home while schools across the state and nation have resumed their regular schedules.
Restoring normal learning while maintaining proper security measures to protect children and school personnel was the stated goal of the state government’s decision to reopen schools.
He asserts that neighbourhoods and educational institutions that were once vulnerable to criminal activity have seen a marked decrease in risks as a result of ongoing operations by security authorities.
While the commissioner acknowledged that things have improved, he emphasised that they are still vigilant.
He brought attention to the fact that security forces are still stationed in key areas in order to build upon the gains made in combating banditry and other criminal activities that have previously hampered academic pursuits in some regions of the state.
The commissioner went on to say that the state government is stepping up its efforts to keep the peace by bolstering community involvement, promoting early warning systems, and encouraging cooperation between citizens and security authorities, in addition to security operations.