Governments in Nigeria have paid nearly ₦8 billion in ransom linked to school abductions between 2014 and 2025, a pattern analysts say has helped sustain a cycle of kidnappings that continues to target schools across the country.
The finding comes from a new analysis by Lagos based research firm SBM Intelligence, which tracked publicly reported ransom payments following major school kidnapping incidents across several Nigerian states.
The report, titled “Monkey Business: Timeline of Nigeria’s Government Funding of School Abductions (2014–2025)”, examines how ransom payments have increasingly become part of the government response to mass abductions, despite Nigerian law formally prohibiting negotiations with kidnappers.
Nigeria has faced repeated waves of school kidnappings over the past decade, particularly in northern states where armed groups have abducted students and demanded ransom payments from governments, communities and families.
The crisis gained international attention in April 2014, when militants abducted 276 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok in Borno state, an incident that triggered global outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. According to SBM Intelligence’s analysis, about ₦5 billion was reportedly paid during negotiations linked to the girls’ release.
Subsequent incidents have followed a similar pattern.
In 2018, 276 schoolgirls were abducted in Dapchi, Yobe state, although the ransom amount reportedly paid in that case was not publicly disclosed.
In December 2020, gunmen kidnapped 276 students from Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina state, with about ₦30 million reportedly paid to secure their release.
A surge of kidnappings occurred in 2021, when armed groups targeted schools across several states.
In Niger state, about 200 children were abducted from a school in Rafi local government area, with approximately ₦50 million reportedly paid as ransom. Another incident in the state involving the kidnapping of 42 people including students, teachers and school staff reportedly resulted in a ₦15 million payment.
In Kaduna state, authorities reportedly paid about ₦32 million after 39 students were abducted from a school in Igabi local government area. In Zamfara state, around ₦60 million was reportedly paid following the kidnapping of 279 female students from Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe.
More recent incidents involved significantly larger ransom demands.
In 2024, about ₦1 billion was reportedly paid after 287 pupils were abducted in Kuriga, Kaduna state. The following year, ₦2 billion was reportedly paid following the kidnapping of 327 pupils in the Papiri area of Agaie local government area in Niger state, according to the analysis.
Taken together, SBM Intelligence said the payments illustrate how kidnapping for ransom has evolved into a structured criminal economy targeting schools, where large numbers of students are abducted to increase the potential financial payoff.
The issue returned to national debate in February 2026 after an investigation by Agence France-Presse alleged that ₦2 billion (about $7 million) was paid to secure the release of abducted pupils from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Gwoza, Borno state.
The report claimed the money was delivered by helicopter to a Boko Haram commander and that two militant commanders were released as part of the negotiations.
The Nigerian government has strongly denied the allegations.
Despite the denial, SBM Intelligence said its analysis shows that ransom payments linked to school kidnappings have appeared repeatedly in public reporting over the past decade.
Security experts have long warned that ransom payments may help secure the immediate release of hostages but can also encourage further attacks by signaling that kidnappings are financially rewarding.
In northern Nigeria, schools have become frequent targets because large numbers of students can generate higher ransom demands and attract national attention, increasing pressure on authorities to negotiate.
SBM Intelligence said documenting the timeline of ransom payments helps illustrate how the country’s response to school abductions has evolved over the years and raises broader questions about the long term consequences of negotiating with kidnappers.
SBM Intelligence is a Lagos based geopolitical research and strategic consulting firm that provides analysis on security, economic and political risks across Nigeria and West Africa.