FG vows continuous security presence in schools

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to protect schools nationwide, strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative in partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated this during an official visit to the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, on Wednesday. He also said that the government is exploring sustainable financing to ensure school security remains fully funded.

He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to keeping children safe, stating, “We will move from knee-jerk responses to a continuous security presence, especially in vulnerable schools.

“Our children must remain safe in school, and this administration is committed to providing the resources and structure required.”

Alausa further announced that a dedicated Safe Schools department is being established within the Ministry of Education to oversee nationwide implementation and improve collaboration with the NSCDC.

He also said technology-driven systems, including panic buttons linked to command centres, would be introduced for faster emergency response.

The minister confirmed that the NSCDC had been appointed as the lead agency for school protection, replacing fragmented security arrangements.

Commandant-General Audi revealed that more than 60,000 of Nigeria’s 81,000 schools lack adequate security.

“These schools are porous in the sense that there was no presence of security men or no fences in those schools, so that gave us a guide on how to develop our operational strategy in terms of mutual security and safety for the schools.