By Fatima Saka
Abuja, Nigeria — The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, on Friday provided fresh insights into the management and restructuring of the Safe Schools Initiative as the Senate intensified its investigation into the programme’s funding.
Alausa told the Senate Ad-hoc Committee that most of the funds under scrutiny were disbursed before his tenure, noting that the Safe Schools Financing framework was previously domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Finance, which handled both international grants and appropriated funds.
He disclosed that a major reform has now been undertaken to reposition the initiative, with the establishment of a dedicated Safe Schools Department within the Federal Ministry of Education to strengthen coordination, policy direction, and implementation nationwide.
According to him, the new structure will ensure a more comprehensive approach to school safety, covering infrastructure such as fencing and solar lighting, recruitment of security personnel, and the deployment of technology, alongside collaboration with security agencies.
On his part, Oyedele explained that the Ministry of Finance acted in line with its statutory responsibility as the government’s central accounting authority in managing the funds, including disbursements to agencies like the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
He stressed that the priority of government is not which ministry controls the funds, but ensuring adequate financing and timely releases to prevent security breaches in schools.
The ministers spoke during a session with the Senate Ad-hoc Committee to Investigate the Safe Schools Initiative Programme, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, in Abuja.
Earlier, Kalu said the committee was determined to trace all financial flows linked to the initiative, including foreign donations and budgetary allocations, to ensure accountability and value for money.
He, however, noted that parts of the deliberations would be held behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of school security, warning that public disclosure of certain details could expose schools to attacks.
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The committee said its expanded mandate includes reviewing operational gaps, funding delays, and institutional bottlenecks affecting the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative.
The investigation, anchored on the Senate’s constitutional oversight powers, is expected to produce recommendations aimed at strengthening transparency and enhancing the protection of students and school infrastructure across the country.
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