FG to Assess Safe Schools Project

The Federal Government is preparing to review the progress of the Safe Schools project, with plans to convene a national summit involving representatives from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

This was confirmed by the National Coordinator of Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria, Halima Iliya to Press.

Responding to questions from our correspondent about a potential review or national summit to assess the project’s progress, Iliya said, “Yes. We want to round off with South-West before the review.”

However, she did not disclose the specific month when the review will take place.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the National Safe Schools Response and Coordination Centre, Rabiu Muhammad, told our correspondent that over 11,000 schools had been registered on the agency’s central monitoring platform.

 “At the moment, over 11,000 schools have been registered on our website,” he said.

Muhammad noted that the development was part of broader efforts to ensure the safety of educational institutions across the country.

The commander further stated, “Schools should note that the registration exercise is not for revenue generation by way of taxation. It is to enable us to promptly respond to possible threats from insurgents.”

Muhammad explained that while the project was originally set to run from 2023 to 2027, with a target of securing all schools by 2026, several setbacks have occurred.

“However, in Nigeria, one-third of schools are not safe. There was budget allocation at inception (2023 only). Zero budget allocation in 2024 and 2025 and funding is needed to carry out activities,” he stated.

The Safe Schools project was launched in 2014 following the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State.

It was introduced by the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, in collaboration with the Nigerian Global Business Coalition for Education and leaders from the private sector during the World Economic Forum on Africa.

The project includes school-based interventions, community protection efforts, and special measures for schools in high-risk areas.

The FG initially set up the Safe Schools Fund with a $10m contribution, which was matched by a $10m pledge from the private sector.

In 2023, N15bn was earmarked for the programme in the national budget.