Senate Opens In-Depth Probe of Safe School Initiative, Kalu Vows Full Accountability Over Kidnappings, Attacks
The Nigerian Senate has launched a comprehensive investigation into the Safe School Initiative (SSI), expressing grave concerns over its failure to prevent persistent attacks and mass abductions in schools despite years of funding and international support.
Presiding over the inaugural sitting of the Senate’s ad-hoc committee on Wednesday, Chairman and former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, vowed that the probe would uncover all lapses in the implementation of the initiative and ensure full accountability for every fund disbursed.
“Keenly, this is unacceptable for a nation committed to educational development and child safety,” Kalu said, noting that more than 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped and over 180 educational facilities attacked since 2014.
“It is intolerable that our schools remain soft targets for terrorists and kidnappers. We will track every naira and every dollar allocated to the Safe School Initiative. Nigerians deserve to know why, despite enormous investment and global support, our children are still unsafe,” he added.
The committee is expected to carry out a detailed financial and operational audit involving federal ministries, state governments, security agencies, development partners and civil society groups. Critical areas of review will include the utilisation of funds since 2014, the deployment and effectiveness of security personnel in schools, the functionality of early warning and emergency response systems, infrastructure improvements in vulnerable areas, and partnerships with international donors and private sector contributors.
Kalu stressed that the investigation is not intended to witch-hunt any individual or institution, but rather to strengthen transparency and rebuild public confidence in the programme.
“We owe Nigerian parents the responsibility to ensure their children can pursue education without fear. We will not rest until we get answers and implement solutions,” he assured.
The Senate’s action follows widespread outrage over the recent abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, where the vice principal was also killed by bandits. The incident has renewed national debate over the safety of learning environments across the country.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North), who raised the motion on the Kebbi attack, described the incident as “a dirty slap on the face of the nation.”
“A country that cannot secure its children has failed in its most basic duty. This must be a turning point,” he declared on the Senate floor.
Former Senate President and Chairman of the Committee on Defence, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, also threw his support behind a full-scale investigation, urging transparency in the review of funds released for the initiative.
“Since our schools are still unsafe, we must investigate the funds released and determine how they were spent,” Lawan stated.
Under the leadership of Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, an 18-member ad-hoc committee was constituted, with Senator Kalu as chair. The committee includes Senators Tony Nwoye, Yemi Adaramodu, Harry Ipalibo, Ede Dafinone, Mustapha Saliu, Diket Plang, Binus Yaroe, Kaka Shehu, Musa Garba Maidoki, among others.
The committee has been given four weeks to submit its report and propose actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening and possibly restructuring the Safe School Initiative.
Originally launched in May 2014 after the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, the Safe School Initiative was designed as a joint effort between the Nigerian government, the United Nations, and private sector partners to protect schools in conflict-prone areas.
Records presented to the committee indicate an initial funding of $10 million, with over $30 million mobilised between 2014 and 2021. In addition, a federal allocation of ₦144 billion has reportedly been earmarked for the programme between 2023 and 6, according to the ad-hoc committee.
Despite these significant investments, attacks on schools have continued, strengthening the resolve of lawmakers to demand answers and enforce reforms.
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“Our goal is simple,” Senator Kalu reaffirmed. “We want Nigerian schools to be safe, secure and conducive for learning. Nothing short of genuine accountability will suffice.”
The Senate’s findings are expected to shape a renewed national strategy on school security and the protection of learners across Nigeria.
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