From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Senate has summoned key ministers and security chiefs to account for the utilisation of more than $30 million allocated to the Safe School Initiative (SSI), following rising attacks on educational institutions and the kidnapping of at least 1,680 schoolchildren since 2014.
The Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on the Safe School Initiative, Orji Uzor Kalu, who made this known during the inaugural sitting of the Committee on Wednesday, said the terrorists have attacked about 180 schools during the same period.
Kalu expressed strong dissatisfaction with the SSI’s poor performance, noting that despite the mobilisation of over $30 million between 2014 and 2021 and the recent release of ₦144 billion by the Federal Government, school attacks have persisted. He said the trend indicates a failure to achieve the initiative’s core objective of protecting students and learning environments.
As part of the investigation, the committee summoned the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to explain how the funds were managed.
Also invited are the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa; Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Christopher Musa, NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr Mohammed Abubakar Audi, as well as representatives of school proprietors nationwide.
Kalu vowed that the committee would “track every naira and every dollar allocated to the Safe School Initiative,” describing the continued vulnerability of schools as “unacceptable”. He said Nigerians deserve clarity on why insecurity persists despite substantial investments and global support for safer learning environments.
He further disclosed that the committee will conduct a comprehensive financial and operational audit, engaging federal ministries, state governments, security agencies, civil society organisations, international donors, and private-sector contributors.
The assessment will review fund utilisation, deployment of security personnel, the efficiency of early-warning systems, emergency response structures, and improvements made in high-risk schools.
The senator clarified that the probe is not a witch-hunt but an effort to strengthen accountability and ensure the initiative delivers on its mandate.
He said the investigation was triggered by the recent abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, where the school’s vice principal was killed.
