The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening the Safe Schools Programme to ensure that Nigerian children can learn in secure environments.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan, gave the assurance on Tuesday during the commemoration of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack (IDEA), themed “Challenging Narratives, Reshaping Actions.”
Represented by the Director of Human Resource Management, Yusuf Saheed, Enitan rejected the notion that insecurity in schools was inevitable, stressing that every child has the right to learn in peace.
“We are changing the way we implement the Safe Schools Programme, moving beyond rhetoric to real, coordinated action,” he said.
He added that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda places education at the heart of national development. Through the Safe Schools Declaration, the Ministry is collaborating with state governments, security agencies, and development partners to train teachers, improve reporting systems, and build resilience in schools.
Acknowledging challenges in some regions, Enitan commended learners who continue their education despite insecurity, describing them as “an inspiration for stronger government action.”
Also speaking, the Director of School Safety, Hussaini Abdullahi, said the government was shifting from reactive to proactive strategies to safeguard schools. He called on stakeholders to work together to prevent disruptions to children’s learning.
UNICEF Chief of Education, Vanessa Lee, pledged continuous support for Nigeria’s efforts, stressing the importance of teachers as the first line of protection for learners. She also called for stronger infrastructure, continuous training, and active School-Based Management Committees.
Dr Gboyega Ilusanya, National Team Lead for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), reaffirmed support for the Safe Schools Programme. Represented by Amy Oyekunle, he emphasised that school safety is key to ensuring uninterrupted learning, even in emergencies.
“Education is not a privilege but a right—the key to freedom, opportunity, and national progress,” Ilusanya said.
Since 2021, FCDO-PLANE has supported Kaduna, Kano, and Jigawa States with interventions under the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools.
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