Safe Schools Initiative exists on paper as school attacks persist

Nigeria's Safe Schools Initiative, launched with fanfare and promises of enhanced security, is facing renewed criticism as attacks on educational institutions continue unabated. Stakeholders in the education sector are voicing concerns that the federal government's policies, including the Smart School Protection Strategy, have yet to translate into tangible protection for students and staff.

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Sadly, more than a decade later, recurring attacks in states such as Borno and Oyo suggest that these standards have remained stronger on paper than in practice.

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), introduced the Smart School Protection Strategy in February. The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, emphasized school protection as a "non-negotiable priority." A dedicated Department of Safe School Initiative was established to coordinate policy implementation and inter-agency collaboration, with the NSCDC designated as the lead operational agency. The strategy outlined the deployment of advanced security solutions, such as emergency panic alert systems and rapid response mechanisms, alongside efforts to explore sustainable financing for nationwide implementation.

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This is no longer an isolated rural problem. Only a few months ago, schools in Lagos were targeted with bomb and kidnap threats, proving that no region can afford complacency.

However, these policy measures have done little to deter recurring incidents. Kofo Karunwi, Chairperson of the Association of International School Educators in Nigeria, stated that the ongoing abductions and attacks reveal the ineffectiveness of existing safety frameworks. She recalled the 2014 Chibok girls' abduction, which was expected to be a catalyst for change, leading to the Safe Schools Initiative. "Sadly, more than a decade later, recurring attacks in states such as Borno and Oyo suggest that these standards have remained stronger on paper than in practice," Karunwi said.

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Schools are expected to implement safety measures, yet many lack the resources, intelligence support and enforcement backing required to make these measures effective.

The threat is no longer confined to rural areas. Karunwi noted that schools in Lagos have recently faced bomb and kidnap threats, dispelling any notion of regional complacency. She highlighted that many schools still lack basic infrastructure and emergency systems, despite regulations requiring them to implement safety measures. "Schools are expected to implement safety measures, yet many lack the resources, intelligence support and enforcement backing required to make these measures effective," she explained. Karunwi also criticized the inadequate funding for education safety, contrasting it with resources allocated to politics and other expenditures. She stressed that weak implementation and poor accountability have undermined policies, warning that inaction could have severe consequences.

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At a time when enormous resources are routinely committed to politics and other public expenditures, many schools remain exposed, underprotected and unequipped to respond to emergencies.