As Nigeria continues its struggle to secure educational institutions from persistent security threats, the Federal Government is preparing to review the progress of its Safe Schools project.
But while plans for a national summit involving stakeholders from all 36 states and the FCT are underway, critical funding shortages and delayed timelines threaten the project’s long-term success.
The National Coordinator of Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria, Halima Iliya, confirmed the government’s intent to evaluate the initiative during a recent conversation with Sunday PUNCH, stating, “Yes. We want to round off with South-West before the review.” However, she declined to reveal a specific timeline for the review summit.
The Safe Schools project, launched in 2014 in response to the Chibok girls’ abduction, was a bold attempt to shield educational institutions from insurgent attacks and other violent disruptions. Spearheaded by UN Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown, in collaboration with Nigerian and private sector partners, the project initially garnered $20 million in joint funding from government and private donors.
Over a decade later, the vision remains unmet. Commander of the National Safe Schools Response and Coordination Centre, Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed that although more than 11,000 schools have been registered on the national monitoring platform, one-third of schools across the country remain unsafe.
“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 clarified.
He also revealed a troubling trend: while there was a federal budget allocation for the initiative at its relaunch in 2023, there has been zero allocation for 2024 and 2025.
“Funding is needed to carry out activities,” Muhammad warned. “The initial goal was to secure all schools by 2026 under the 2023–2027 timeline, but setbacks have delayed progress significantly.”
Security experts and education advocates say the funding gap highlights a disconnect between government policy and its commitment to child safety. Though over 11,000 schools are now part of the central monitoring system, thousands more, especially in remote and conflict-prone areas, remain exposed.
The Safe Schools project is built around a three-pronged strategy: school-based interventions, community protection efforts, and targeted measures for schools in high-risk zones. But for many, these interventions remain theoretical due to the lack of consistent financial backing.
The forthcoming national summit, while crucial, is now being seen not just as an opportunity to assess the past but as a litmus test of political will to protect the future of education in Nigeria.
As the country inches closer to the 2026 security target with dwindling funds and growing insecurity, stakeholders warn that only sustained investment backed by decisive action can prevent the tragic repeat of events like Chibok.
