The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has called for the transfer of the Safe Schools Initiative funds from the Federal Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Education, saying the move would strengthen the programme through a centrally coordinated framework involving key security agencies.
Alausa made the proposal on Friday while briefing journalists after appearing before the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The minister said placing the funds under the supervision of the Ministry of Education would improve coordination, accountability and implementation of measures aimed at protecting schools, students and teachers from security threats.
According to him, the Safe Schools Initiative requires a unified approach that brings together the education sector, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders under a single coordinating authority.
“We are requesting that the Safe Schools Initiative funds be transferred from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Education so we can coordinate the programme effectively with all security agencies,” Alausa said.
He noted that the increasing insecurity affecting educational institutions across the country underscores the need for a more efficient management structure capable of responding quickly to emerging threats.
The minister also highlighted the importance of collaboration among federal and state governments, security agencies and development partners in ensuring that schools remain safe learning environments.
The Senate committee is reviewing the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative amid growing concerns over attacks on schools, kidnappings of students and teachers, and other security challenges that have disrupted education in several parts of the country.
Speaking during the session, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to strengthening the initiative through effective oversight and legislative support. He said protecting schools remains essential to safeguarding the future of Nigerian children and restoring public confidence in the education system.
The Safe Schools Initiative was launched in 2014 following the abduction of schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, and is designed to enhance the security of schools through improved infrastructure, early warning systems, emergency response mechanisms and collaboration with security agencies. In recent years, the programme has received renewed attention as attacks on schools and mass abductions have continued to pose significant challenges to education across parts of the country.
