By Felix Khanoba
The Senate has praised the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, for his commitment to transparency and cooperation with legislative oversight following the Federal Government’s move to improve security in schools across the country by restructuring the Safe Schools Initiative.
The commendation came during an interactive session of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative, which examined the implementation of the programme, including the utilisation of budgetary allocations, international grants and other external funding.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, applauded the minister for consistently honouring invitations from the National Assembly and engaging lawmakers in the discharge of their constitutional oversight duties.
Kalu also praised the ongoing reforms in the education sector, describing them as critical measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s education system and advancing national development. He assured the committee’s continued support for initiatives designed to improve the safety of schools, teachers and students nationwide.
Responding to questions from the committee, Alausa clarified that the funds under scrutiny, including international grants, foreign donations and appropriated resources, were released years before he assumed office as Minister of Education.
He explained that, at the time, the Safe Schools Financing Unit responsible for managing the funds operated under the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Despite the timeline of the disbursements, the minister stressed that the present administration remains committed to ensuring full accountability in the management of public funds.
“Government is a continuum. We have a responsibility to account to Nigerians for how public resources have been managed, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the distinguished Senate in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
Alausa disclosed that the Ministry of Education has now established a dedicated Safe Schools Department to provide stronger leadership, coordination and oversight of school safety programmes across the country.
He explained that the new department replaces the previous unit with a more robust institutional framework that aligns with the ministry’s constitutional responsibility for education policy, implementation and monitoring.
According to him, the ministry now coordinates the initiative through a unified national framework designed to improve implementation, strengthen accountability and enhance monitoring of interventions across the 774 local government areas.
The minister further revealed that the ministry is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other relevant agencies to implement a comprehensive national strategy for safer schools.
“School safety cannot be handled in a fragmented manner.
“The Safe Schools Initiative has many interconnected components that require a coordinated national approach. While our security agencies will continue to perform their constitutional responsibilities, the Federal Ministry of Education will provide policy direction, coordinate implementation with states and ensure that every school benefits from the programme,” Alausa said.
He said the renewed initiative goes beyond physical protection of schools by incorporating perimeter fencing, solar-powered lighting, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, surveillance technology, trained security personnel, technology-driven early warning systems and improved monitoring, alongside stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, local communities and security agencies.
The minister noted that the creation of the dedicated department reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to providing learners at all levels with safe and conducive environments for education.
He also appreciated the Senate Ad-hoc Committee for its engagement and reaffirmed the ministry’s resolve to work with the National Assembly, security agencies, state governments and other stakeholders to deepen accountability, strengthen coordination and ensure the successful implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative.
The minister assured Nigerians that the ministry would continue to provide the leadership and strategic direction needed to build a more secure and resilient education system where every child can pursue learning without fear.
