Despite repeated attacks on schools nationwide, 30 states have still not implemented the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative, a programme designed to protect learning environments from violence.
The initiative was launched in 2014 after the Chibok abduction, supported by a $10m pledge and later expanded through a UN-coordinated trust fund. Nigeria also signed and ratified the Safe Schools Declaration and adopted a National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools in 2021.
However, implementation has largely stalled, with only a fraction of the N144.8bn funding plan (2023–2026) released, and most states failing to contribute their share.
Rising Attacks Despite National Commitments
Recent attacks show the consequences of this lag.
On November 17, gunmen raided the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, abducting 24 students and killing the vice-principal. The victims were freed on Tuesday.
Just days later, on November 21, armed men invaded St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, abducting 303 students and 12 teachers, one of the largest school kidnappings in recent years. This happened despite ongoing security warnings and government directives to close vulnerable schools.
Several northern states have also shut down many schools as kidnapping incidents continue to rise.
States Yet to Implement the Initiative
According to officials familiar with the programme, the following states have yet to activate or fund the Safe Schools Initiative:
Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
Some states such as the FCT, Benue, Nasarawa, Katsina, Rivers and Enugu have donated buildings for coordination centres, but these remain empty and without essential equipment like surveillance tools or communication gadgets.
Jigawa State has set up a centre but is yet to activate it.
Need for Serious Funding and Cooperation
The Commander of the National Safe Schools Response and Coordination Centre, ACG Emmanuel Ocheja, confirmed that 11,550 schools have been registered under the monitoring system. He stressed the need for sustained funding, improved technology, and the establishment of better command centres and regional hubs.
He called on state governments to become more involved, emphasising the importance of early-warning systems to detect threats before attacks occur.
The Federal Government has also appealed to state governors to adopt and domesticate the Safe School Transition Plan, with the 2026–2030 plan recently approved.
Parents, Students and Civil Society Organisations React
Major stakeholders—including NAPTAN, NANS and various CSOs—expressed disappointment over the failure of states to prioritise school safety.
NAPTAN President, Danjuma Haruna, urged states to join the programme immediately, noting that the recent releases in Kebbi brought relief but underscored ongoing danger.
NANS condemned the abandonment of the initiative, calling it “a dangerous gap” that puts students and teachers at risk. They stressed the urgency of reactivating the programme fully.
CSOs also criticised the lack of progress, especially given Nigeria’s long history of school kidnappings—from Chibok to Dapchi to the more recent large-scale abductions.
They urged the government to secure the 589 closed schools in the North and all federal unity schools.
Kogi Raises Alarm Over Bandit Relocation
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, disclosed that senior bandit leaders have relocated to the state and warned that attacks may intensify.
He vowed that security agencies would confront them directly, not negotiate or pay ransom.
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Renewed Bandit Attacks Shake Kwara, Kano, and Nasarawa Despite Security Efforts
The State Security Council has ordered that all public activities end by 4pm, with violators facing sanctions.
Security agencies also warned residents against spreading panic through unverified social media posts.
FCT Launches Manhunt for Abducted Teenagers
In the FCT, police officers have begun searching forests around Gidan Bajimi village after six girls and a 16-year-old boy were abducted from their homes.
The FCT Police Commissioner relaunched Operation Sweep to boost security around schools, mosques and churches.
Fresh Abductions in Niger State
Ten people were kidnapped from Angwan-Kawo and Kuchipa communities in Shiroro LGA on Wednesday night, as confirmed by the Niger State Police Command.
Earlier that day, bandits also brutalised a blind man in Kakuru community, cutting off his hand.
Residents of Palaita in Erena Ward also reported another attack on a rice farm, where up to 24 people—including pregnant women—were allegedly abducted.
