Across the country, public secondary schools are increasingly falling victim to destruction, with miscreants and hoodlums wreaking havoc on learning facilities. From roofing sheets being stolen in Ibadan to entire school buildings being stripped bare trend is alarming. In February 2025, students of IMG Grammar School, Ibadan arrived at their school, expecting another day of learning. Instead, they found destruction. Two blocks of six classrooms had been stripped of their roofing sheets, another building left skeletal after vandals removed its wooden supports. The once-functional learning space had become a ruin overnight.
This was not an isolated incident. That same month in Abia State, vandals struck again. At Ozar Secondary School, Asa, Ukwa West LGA, classrooms were left without roofs, laboratories were ransacked, and school halls were turned into empty shells. It happened over the weekend. In Kaduna, August 2024, a young man was caught in the act, breaking chairs and shattering windows at Maimuna Gwarzo Nursery and Primary School. His reason? Unknown. His actions? A reflection of a deeper crisis. Even when the government struggles to provide educational infrastructure, these structures are being ripped apart, not just by external criminals, but sometimes by members of the same community.
And this pattern stretches even further back. In November 2023, the Akwa Ibom government raised an alarm about the rate of vandalism in schools. Officials, led by Governor Umo Eno’s aide, toured the state capital, witnessing first-hand the damage inflicted upon institutions like Offot Central School, QIC Primary School, and West Itam Two Primary School. Doors and windows were once the primary targets, but now, even roofs were being stolen. It was no longer a case of simple mischief; it was an organised, systematic destruction of learning spaces. But beyond the visible wreckage of classrooms, broken windows, and looted laboratories, school vandalism poses a far greater threat, it cripples the education system itself. When students are forced to learn under dilapidated conditions, when teachers are discouraged by constant destruction, and when resources meant for development are instead channeled into endless repairs, the entire system suffers.
School vandalism refers to the intentional destruction or defacement of school property by students, outsiders, or unknown criminals. It ranges from minor acts like graffiti and broken chairs to more severe cases like arson, theft, and total destruction of school buildings. The alarming rise in school vandalism across Nigeria suggests it is no longer an isolated issue, it is a systemic problem that requires urgent attention.
Several factors contribute to the increasing cases of school vandalism in Nigeria. Many schools in Nigeria, especially public ones, lack proper security infrastructure, therefore, making them become easy targets.
Also, Cultism is not only a university problem, it has infiltrated Nigerian secondary schools. Many cases of school vandalism are linked to rival gang clashes or cult-related revenge attacks. A teacher in a rural area in Osun State corroborated this after describing a heartbreaking incident where a cultist fight broke out during the break time in school. Surprisingly, these fight was from the students, and the school had to be shut down immediately with teachers and students running away for their lives after gun shots and blood splashes. The end result of this the following day is chairs, tables and other infrastructure that has been destroyed. Students involved in these activities often destroy school property to assert dominance or retaliate against authorities.
Outside of cultism attacks in school, many schools have been destroyed by political unrest and insecurity. Hundreds of schools were vandalised during Endars protest while some were as a result of Boko Haram attacks.
With Nigeria’s struggling economy, some individuals vandalise schools to steal valuable materials like roofing sheets, cables, and laboratory equipment. These items are often resold, making schools easy targets for criminals looking for quick money. This act in this case is often carried out by students or outsiders. Also, poor maintenance culture and neglect by authorities contribute to vandalism. In cases where schools are already in bad shape, some community members see them as abandoned spaces, making them vulnerable to further destruction.
The effects of school vandalism go beyond the physical damage. It disrupts learning, increases financial burdens, and weakens the education system. When school buildings are damaged, students are forced to learn under terrible conditions. In Ibadan, after the vandalism at IMG Grammar School, classrooms were left without roofs, exposing students to harsh weather. In Abia, students had no functioning laboratories due to theft. How can quality education take place in such conditions? Students who attend vandalised schools often feel unsafe and unmotivated. Teachers, too, lose morale when they see the fruits of their hard work destroyed. Fear and uncertainty reduce the overall effectiveness of education.
Every year, millions of naira that should be used for improving education are instead spent on repairs. In Akwa Ibom, officials admitted that despite building new model schools, the fear of vandalism remains high. This endless cycle of destruction and rebuilding drains resources that could have been used to enhance education. As vandalism increases, more parents lose faith in public schools. Some move their children to private schools, believing they are safer. This widens the education gap, making quality education accessible only to those who can afford it.
When schools are constantly vandalised, academic activities are disrupted. Learning materials are lost, examinations are postponed, and teachers struggle to maintain order. Over time, this weakens the entire education system and contributes to poor academic performance.
The Nigerian education system is already facing numerous challenges, including underfunding, poor teacher welfare, and outdated curricula. School vandalism only adds to these problems, making it even harder to provide quality education. Many students stop attending school when learning environments become unsafe. If classrooms are damaged and there are no proper learning facilities, some students choose to stay at home, increasing the dropout rate.
Schools in poorer communities suffer more from vandalism because they lack proper security. Meanwhile, schools in urban parts of the country with private security measures remain protected. This creates an unequal education system where students from disadvantaged areas face greater obstacles.
When vandalism persists, governments become reluctant to invest in new infrastructure, fearing it will be destroyed. In Kaduna, the fear that new model schools could suffer the same fate as older ones has slowed investment in public education. Frequent cases of school vandalism send a negative message to the international community. It reflects poorly on Nigeria’s commitment to education and discourages foreign investment in educational initiatives.
Addressing school vandalism requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving the government, school authorities, parents, students, and the community. Schools must invest in security measures such as perimeter fencing, CCTV cameras, and well-trained guards. Community policing can also help prevent external attacks.
As suggested by the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom Governor on Social Orientation, Mr Aniekeme Finbarr after the November 2023 vandalism, communities must take ownership of public schools. When residents see schools as their responsibility, they are more likely to protect them. Community watch groups can play a role in this.
Additionally, perpetrators of school vandalism must face legal consequences. The young man arrested in Kaduna for destroying school property is an example of how the law should be enforced. Stronger legal action will serve as a deterrent. Also, there is a need for aggressive public sensitisation campaigns on the dangers of vandalism. Parents, students, and community leaders should be educated on the long-term effects of school destruction. Neglected schools are more prone to vandalism. Regular maintenance and prompt repairs can prevent further destruction. Schools should also create maintenance teams responsible for quick interventions.
In conclusion, school vandalism is a serious threat to Nigeria’s education system. It affects students, teachers, and the entire academic structure, deepening the existing problems in public education. Education is the foundation of national development, and allowing schools to fall into ruin is a disservice to the nation. It is time to take a stand and safeguard Nigeria’s schools for generations to come.
