Safe Schools Initiative: WELA Demands Answers Over Continued Abduction of Nigerian Children

Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) has voiced serious concerns over the persistent attacks on schools and the recurring abduction of schoolchildren across Nigeria. This situation continues despite the establishment of the Safe Schools Initiative over a decade ago.

In a statement, WELA Chairperson Funmi Falana, SAN, highlighted the frightening reality that many Nigerian parents still send their children to school with uncertainty about their safe return. The organization emphasized that "real children continue to bear the consequences of insecurity," enduring anxiety and trauma while communities live in fear that schools have become targets of criminal violence.

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real children continue to bear the consequences of insecurity

The Safe Schools Initiative was launched in 2014 following the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls. It aimed to enhance school security and protect students and teachers, with an initial funding commitment of US$20 million from the Federal Government and private sector partners. Additional funding was reportedly received from international partners over the years, and Nigeria's National Plan on Financing Safe Schools (2023–2026) was introduced with a projected requirement of ₦144.86 billion.

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Twelve years have now passed since the launch of the Safe Schools Initiative. The question Nigerians are entitled to ask is simple: what has been achieved?

"Twelve years have now passed since the launch of the Safe Schools Initiative. The question Nigerians are entitled to ask is simple: what has been achieved?" WELA questioned. The group cited public reports indicating that since 2014, over 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped, approximately 180 educational facilities attacked, and hundreds of schools forced to close due to insecurity. These figures raise significant concerns about the implementation, effectiveness, monitoring, and oversight of programs designed to protect Nigerian children and secure educational institutions.

While acknowledging the complexity of Nigeria's security challenges, WELA stated that "complexity cannot become an excuse for the absence of accountability." The organization asserted that the public has a right to know how funds committed to protecting children have been utilized, what projects have been executed, and what outcomes have been achieved.

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complexity cannot become an excuse for the absence of accountability.