Safe Schools Initiative and other federal interventions designed to secure learning environments are once again under scrutiny as fresh concerns mount over continued attacks on schools across the country, with education stakeholders warning that policy efforts are yet to translate into real protection on the ground.
Recall that in February, the Federal Government launched a Smart School Protection Strategy aimed at strengthening security across schools nationwide through renewed collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, had described school protection as a “non-negotiable priority,” announcing the creation of a dedicated Department of Safe School Initiative to coordinate policy implementation, monitoring and inter-agency collaboration, with the NSCDC serving as lead operational agency.
Key components of the strategy include the deployment of smart security solutions such as emergency panic alert systems, rapid response mechanisms and enhanced command-and-control centres designed to enable intelligence-driven interventions.
The ministry also said it was exploring sustainable financing models to ensure nationwide implementation.
However, despite these policy measures, stakeholders say school attacks have continued unabated, raising questions about implementation and enforcement.
Chairperson of the Association of International School Educators in Nigeria, Kofo Karunwi, said the recurring abductions and attacks show that safety frameworks remain largely ineffective.
She recalled that the abduction of the Chibok girls in 2014 was expected to be a turning point in Nigeria’s approach to school safety, leading to the introduction of the Safe Schools Initiative and Minimum Standards for Safe Schools.
“Sadly, more than a decade later, recurring attacks in states such as Borno and Oyo suggest that these standards have remained stronger on paper than in practice,” she said.
Karunwi warned that insecurity around schools is now spreading beyond rural communities.
“This is no longer an isolated rural problem. Only a few months ago, schools in Lagos were targeted with bomb and kidnap threats, proving that no region can afford complacency,” she said.
She added that many schools still operate without adequate infrastructure or emergency systems, despite being required to enforce safety measures.
“Schools are expected to implement safety measures, yet many lack the resources, intelligence support and enforcement backing required to make these measures effective,” she said.
Karunwi also decried what she described as inadequate funding priorities for education safety.
“At a time when enormous resources are routinely committed to politics and other public expenditures, many schools remain exposed, underprotected and unequipped to respond to emergencies,” she said.
She stressed that weak implementation and poor accountability had undermined existing policies, warning that delays in action could worsen the crisis.
“The safety of children cannot continue to depend on luck. Action delayed only increases the risk of further attacks spreading to more states and communities,” she said.
She called for mandatory risk assessments, perimeter security, emergency response systems and school safety audits, insisting that protection of schools must become a national priority.
National Coordinator of Concerned Parents Educators, Kemi Koleowo, also faulted gaps in the enforcement of school safeguarding policies.
She said schools must take greater responsibility for securing their environments while the government strengthens oversight.
“There is a Safe Schools Initiative, but safeguarding requires securing the environment with competent security arrangements. Bandits should not have easy access to schools,” she said.
Koleowo questioned weak enforcement mechanisms within the education system.
“Government officials in education have quality assurance departments, but are they doing their work? Safeguarding should be part of policy enforcement,” she said.
She also emphasised the need for improved security awareness among school communities.
“Our children are vulnerable. We must educate teachers, learners and parents on how to protect them. Even simple safety measures like verification codes for child pick-up were introduced because of past risks,” she said.
In a statement, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools said the increasing insecurity around schools had become a national emergency requiring urgent action.
Signed by National President, Chief ’Yomi Otubela, and National Secretary, Evangelist Ajibade Augustine, the association warned that schools were increasingly becoming targets of abductions and violence.
“Across different parts of Nigeria, we have witnessed painful incidents where innocent school children and their teachers were kidnapped, traumatised, and subjected to fear and uncertainty,” the statement said.
NAPPS called on all levels of government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure schools.
“Every child deserves to learn in a safe, peaceful and protected environment. School safety must become a national priority and not merely a reaction after tragic incidents occur,” it added.
The association also urged improved intelligence gathering, stronger surveillance around schools and community-based policing to enhance security.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of Margaret Modinat Foundation, Olanrewaju Osibote, blamed poor welfare and weak security structures for worsening conditions in schools.
“Most schools are not secure. Teachers are not well taken care of. When security and welfare are poor, you cannot expect commitment or safety in the system,” she said.
Education stakeholders collectively warned that unless the Safe Schools Initiative moves beyond policy formulation to effective implementation, Nigeria risks deepening the crisis of insecurity in its education sector, with long-term consequences for children, teachers and the future of learning.
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