The Senate has commenced an investigation into the management and disbursement of funds earmarked for Nigeria’s Safe Schools Initiative, with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, appearing before the Senate Ad-hoc Committee probing the utilisation of appropriated funds and international grants meant to improve security in schools across the country.
The minister appeared before the committee during a closed-door session chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, where lawmakers sought explanations on the administration of funds released under the initiative, which was established to protect schools from attacks and ensure uninterrupted access to education.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Alausa clarified that the Safe Schools Initiative funds under investigation were domiciled and disbursed by the Federal Ministry of Finance, not the Federal Ministry of Education, stressing that his ministry was not responsible for the release of the funds being scrutinised by the Senate.
“The Safe Schools Initiative funds were domiciled and disbursed by the Federal Ministry of Finance. Although I was not in office when those funds were released, the Ministry of Education has a responsibility to account to Nigerians and ensure that the initiative delivers on its objectives,” the minister said.
Alausa explained that the current administration has since restructured the initiative by transferring its coordination to the Federal Ministry of Education to improve oversight, policy implementation and accountability in the deployment of resources meant to safeguard schools.
According to him, a dedicated Safe Schools Department has been established within the ministry to coordinate programmes aimed at protecting learners and educational institutions from insecurity across the country.
“We have now ensured that the Safe Schools Initiative is domiciled in the Ministry of Education. This will improve coordination, policy implementation and accountability as we work to strengthen school safety nationwide,” he added.
The minister disclosed that the ministry is working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to develop a more comprehensive school protection framework capable of responding to emerging security threats.
He said the new strategy would focus on strengthening physical infrastructure in schools through perimeter fencing, solar-powered lighting, surveillance technology, improved monitoring systems and the deployment of trained security personnel to vulnerable institutions across the country.
The Senate’s investigation comes amid growing concerns over attacks on schools, particularly in northern Nigeria, where hundreds of students have been abducted by armed groups in recent years. The incidents prompted the Federal Government and international development partners to invest billions of naira in the Safe Schools Initiative to improve security infrastructure, early warning systems and emergency response mechanisms.
Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, said the investigation is aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the utilisation of public funds allocated to the initiative. He noted that the committee would continue to engage relevant agencies and stakeholders before submitting its report and recommendations to the Senate.
The Federal Government has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to making schools safer under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with the Ministry of Education maintaining that stronger collaboration with security agencies, improved infrastructure and effective monitoring will be critical to preventing future attacks on educational institutions and restoring public confidence in the nation’s school system.
