The Senate on Wednesday revealed that at least 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped in Nigeria since the 2014 Chibok girls abduction. The lawmakers also reported that terrorists have attacked around 180 school facilities during the same period, according to findings from its AdHoc Committee investigating the implementation of the Safe School Initiative (SSI).
The committee, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, noted that the continued attacks underscored concerns over the Safe School Initiative’s inability to achieve its intended purpose. It subsequently summoned the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, over the programme’s failure to safeguard schools despite a government investment exceeding $30 million.
Also summoned were the Minister of Education, Mr. Tunji Alausa; the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Christopher Musa; the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar Audi; as well as representatives of school proprietors. Addressing the inaugural meeting of the committee in Abuja, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu vowed to uncover all factors contributing to the Safe School Initiative’s poor performance.
Kalu stressed that it is unacceptable for schools to remain vulnerable to terrorists and kidnappers. He pledged, “We will track every naira and every dollar allocated to the Safe School Initiative, including the $30 million mobilized between 2014 and 2021, as well as the latest N144 billion released by the federal government. Nigerians deserve to know why, despite massive investment and global support, our schools are still unsafe.”
The committee plans to carry out a thorough financial and operational audit, engaging federal ministries, state governments, security agencies, and civil society organizations. The review will assess how funds have been utilized since 2014, the deployment and effectiveness of security personnel, early warning and emergency response systems, infrastructure improvements in vulnerable schools, and partnerships with international donors and the private sector.
Senator Kalu stressed that the investigation is not intended to single out individuals or institutions but is aimed at strengthening accountability and ensuring that resources reach their intended purpose.
