The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the safety of schools across Nigeria, unveiling new measures aimed at strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative through enhanced coordination, accountability and institutional reforms.
Alausa gave the assurance during an interactive session with the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative, where lawmakers commended his cooperation with the National Assembly and commitment to transparency.
According to a statement issued in Abuja by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the meeting reviewed the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative, including the utilisation of appropriated funds, international grants and other external support allocated to the programme.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, praised the minister for consistently honouring invitations from the National Assembly and engaging constructively during oversight activities. He also lauded the ongoing education reforms, describing them as significant steps toward strengthening Nigeria’s education sector and promoting national development.
Responding to lawmakers’ questions, Alausa clarified that the funds under review—including international grants, foreign donations and budgetary allocations—were disbursed before he assumed office as Minister of Education. He explained that the Safe Schools Financing Unit responsible for managing the funds was previously domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Despite this, the minister stressed that the government remains committed to transparency and accountability.
“Government is a continuum. We have a responsibility to account to Nigerians for how public resources have been managed, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the distinguished Senate in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
As part of efforts to reposition the initiative, Alausa announced the establishment of a full-fledged Safe Schools Department within the Federal Ministry of Education to provide strategic leadership, strengthen oversight and coordinate school safety programmes nationwide.
He said the new department replaces the former unit with a more robust institutional structure that will improve implementation, enhance accountability and strengthen monitoring across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
The minister added that the ministry is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other relevant agencies to implement a comprehensive national framework for school safety.
According to him, the renewed Safe Schools Initiative extends beyond physical security to include perimeter fencing, solar-powered lighting, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, surveillance technology, trained security personnel, early warning systems and stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, local communities and security agencies.
Alausa said the creation of the dedicated department reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that learners at all levels of education have access to safe, secure and conducive learning environments.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s readiness to work with the National Assembly, security agencies, state governments and other stakeholders to strengthen accountability, improve coordination and deliver sustainable solutions that protect schools and enhance learning outcomes across the country.
