The Federal Government has unveiled plans to strengthen security in schools located in border and riverine communities under the Safe Schools Transition Plan for 2026-2030.
The strategy aims to create safer learning environments by deepening collaboration among security agencies, state governments, and host communities, while expanding psychosocial support and emergency preparedness for students and teachers.
A senior official involved in the project said the plan would prioritise vulnerable locations, ensuring that security training and infrastructure reach border and riverine areas.
“For the new transition plan covering 2026 to 2030, we are focusing on border communities and riverine areas to ensure the security architecture is fully integrated,” the official said.
Another source added that the plan would also build the security resilience of host communities surrounding schools.
The Safe Schools Project was launched in 2014 following the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, under the initiative of the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, in partnership with Nigerian and international stakeholders.
In December 2022, the Federal Government introduced the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools for 2023–2026, proposing an investment of ₦144.8 billion. Measures included the establishment of the School Protection Squad, deployment of command and control officers nationwide, and the creation of the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre.
Despite these efforts, attacks on schools remain a major concern. In December 2025, the Senate launched an investigation into the Safe Schools Project following continued incidents of kidnappings and deadly attacks.
Data from the National Safe Schools Response and Coordination Centre shows that school registrations under the programme rose from 11,550 in November 2025 to 14,685 by December, following major attacks in Kebbi and Niger states.
Officials noted that many states are yet to fully implement the Safe Schools Project, stressing the need for sustained commitment at all levels to protect students, teachers, and learning facilities nationwide.
