Kabiru Haruna
In a renewed drive to strengthen the safety of learning environments nationwide, the Safe Schools Unit of the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), under the coordination of the Office of the Permanent Secretary, convened an Inter-Ministerial Committee Meeting on the Safe Schools Programme, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan.
While commending the Safe Schools Unit for its steadfast commitment to protecting schools, students, and teachers, Mr. Enitan emphasized that the meeting aimed to advance the objectives of the Safe Schools Programme through strategic coordination, progress evaluation, and forward planning.
He stressed that ensuring the safety and security of learning environments is not merely a policy directive but a national imperative and a critical enabler of sustainable development.
He noted that Nigeria’s endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration had yielded significant progress, including the launch of the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools and its accompanying Plan of Action.
Mr. Enitan highlighted notable achievements of the Ministry, including the capacity building and sensitization of over 300 principals of Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs), Heads of Campus Security in TETFund institutions, and other key stakeholders.
He also acknowledged the support of development partners and the Safe Schools Financing Framework, which has enabled several states to embark on projects such as the rehabilitation of school infrastructure, installation of perimeter fencing, development of School Marshal systems, and capacity building for teachers in areas like crisis management and psychosocial support.
The meeting, he noted, provided a platform for reviewing the implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration, the National Plan of Action, and the Policy on School Safety.
It also served to identify areas requiring renewed focus and inter-agency collaboration. Mr. Enitan urged participants to approach the deliberations with a sense of urgency and shared responsibility, adding,
“We must guarantee that no child is denied the right to education due to insecurity or fear.”
In his welcome address, Alhaji Abdullahi Hussein, Director of the Safe Schools Unit, reiterated the collective mission to ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of location or circumstance, learns in a safe and secure environment.
He emphasized that schools must remain sanctuaries of learning and urged continued vigilance and commitment in light of ongoing security challenges.
Alhaji Hussein explained that the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with relevant MDAs, state governments, and non-state actors, continues to pursue a multi-sectoral approach to safeguarding schools and preventing educational disruptions.
He described the Inter-Ministerial Committee as a critical mechanism for aligning interventions under the Safe Schools Declaration, the National Plan of Action, and the newly adopted National Policy on School Safety.
He commended the support of development partners, civil society organizations, and NGOs, acknowledging their role in amplifying government efforts and accelerating progress.
While recognizing gains, he cautioned that schools in remote and conflict-affected areas remain highly vulnerable, with funding gaps, coordination challenges, and capacity constraints still hindering full implementation.
Nevertheless, he expressed confidence: “We have the expertise, the mandate, and the collective will to make our schools truly safe.”
Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr. Jane Kayode Lawani, Assistant Director of the Safe Schools Unit, expressed deep appreciation for the shared goals and cooperation evident at the meeting.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to returning every child to school in a conducive and fear-free learning environment.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to sustained collaboration and coordinated action to protect the right to education and ensure that every child in Nigeria learns in safety and dignity.