The Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative has commended the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, for his commitment to transparency, accountability and cooperation with parliamentary oversight as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to improve safety in schools nationwide….
The Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative has commended the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, for his commitment to transparency, accountability and cooperation with parliamentary oversight as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to improve safety in schools nationwide.
The commendation came during an interactive session to review the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative, including the use of appropriated funds, international grants and other external support for the programme.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, praised Alausa for consistently honouring invitations from the National Assembly and engaging constructively with lawmakers in the discharge of their oversight responsibilities.
Kalu also lauded the minister’s education reforms, describing them as bold measures that are strengthening Nigeria’s education system and contributing to national development.
He reaffirmed the committee’s support for efforts to improve the safety of schools, teachers and learners.
Responding, Alausa clarified that the funds under review, including international grants and foreign donations, were disbursed several years before he assumed office as Minister of Education.
He explained that the Safe Schools Financing Unit responsible for administering the funds was then under the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Despite this, the minister said the government remained committed to full accountability.
“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,” Alausa said.
He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education had established a dedicated Safe Schools Department to provide strategic leadership, coordination and oversight of school safety programmes nationwide, replacing the former unit with a stronger institutional framework.
According to him, the ministry now coordinates the initiative through a unified national framework aimed at improving implementation, accountability and monitoring across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Alausa said the ministry was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other agencies to develop a comprehensive national framework for school safety.
“School safety cannot be handled in a fragmented manner,” he said. “The Safe Schools Initiative has many interconnected components that require a coordinated national approach.”
The minister said the renewed initiative goes beyond physical security to include perimeter fencing, solar-powered lighting, water and sanitation facilities, surveillance technology, trained security personnel, early warning systems and stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, local communities and security agencies.
He added that the creation of the new department reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to a safe and conducive learning environment.
Alausa thanked the Senate committee for its engagement and pledged continued collaboration with the National Assembly, security agencies, state governments and other stakeholders to strengthen accountability and improve learning outcomes across the country.
