Nigeria, June 19 -- The recent visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Benue State has rekindled national debate, not only about political symbolism and governance, but more urgently about the troubling intersection of education, insecurity, and misplaced priorities in a region grappling with profound challenges. As visuals of schoolchildren standing under heavy rainfall to welcome the president circulated widely, concerns emerged over the growing disregard for the dignity, safety, and educational rights of Nigerian students in the face of ceremonial politics.

Ahead of the presidential visit, the Benue State government declared a public holiday for students, suspending academic activities for the day. However, despite this official pause...