The Federal Government has established a full-fledged Safe Schools Department within the Federal Ministry of Education as part of renewed efforts to strengthen security in schools and better protect learners across Nigeria.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the development while appearing before the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative, describing the new department as a major step towards improving the coordination and implementation of school safety programmes nationwide.
According to the minister, the newly created department replaces the former Safe Schools Unit and will provide strategic leadership, coordination and oversight of all school safety initiatives across the country.
“The Federal Ministry of Education has established a full-fledged Safe Schools Department to provide strategic leadership, coordination and oversight of school safety programmes nationwide,” Alausa said.
He explained that the ministry would oversee the Safe Schools Initiative through a unified national framework aimed at improving implementation, accountability and monitoring across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Alausa said the ministry is working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other relevant agencies to strengthen security around schools.
He noted that protecting schools requires a coordinated approach due to the increasing security and welfare challenges facing students and educational institutions.
“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,” the minister stated.
Speaking on funding for the Safe Schools Initiative, Alausa clarified that some of the grants and appropriated funds currently under review were disbursed before he assumed office and were administered by the ministry’s previous leadership.
He assured lawmakers that the ministry remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability and effective use of resources allocated to improving safety in schools.
The establishment of the Safe Schools Department is expected to strengthen institutional coordination, enhance collaboration among security agencies and education stakeholders, and improve the protection of learners and school infrastructure across the country.
