The Senate on Friday interfaced with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, over the management of billions of naira released under the Safe Schools Initiative, as lawmakers intensified efforts to ensure full accountability for government appropriations and international donor funds committed to protecting schools across Nigeria.
The engagement, held by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative and Safe Schools Financing and chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, focused on the funding, implementation and institutional reforms of the programme established after the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls to safeguard schools against terrorism, banditry and other security threats.
Opening the session, Kalu said the committee’s assignment was to establish how public and donor resources had been managed over the years, stressing that the exercise was a constitutional oversight function rather than a witch-hunt.
“We are here to ensure that every kobo appropriated by the Federal Government and every donor fund released for the protection of our schools is properly accounted for. Government is a continuum, and institutions must remain accountable regardless of changes in leadership,” he said.
The committee chairman commended Alausa and his team for honouring the Senate’s invitation, describing their appearance as a demonstration of respect for democratic accountability and legislative oversight.
He, however, directed that discussions involving operational security matters be conducted behind closed doors, noting that information relating to school security should not be discussed publicly.
“Banditry, terrorism and attacks on schools are matters of national security. We must avoid exposing sensitive operational information that could aid criminal elements,” Kalu stated.
Responding, Alausa acknowledged the Senate’s constitutional oversight role and explained that most of the financial transactions under review took place between five and seven years ago, long before he assumed office as Minister of Education.
He disclosed that the only major disbursements made during his tenure involved interventions for the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies, with the releases administered through the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Tracing the history of the initiative, the minister said the Safe Schools Programme was created following the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, when the international community mobilised substantial financial support to help Nigeria improve security around schools.
According to him, both donor contributions and subsequent Federal Government appropriations were initially domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Finance, which handled the disbursement of funds.
“The Safe Schools Initiative was established after the Chibok tragedy to strengthen the security of our schools. International partners provided significant support, while the Federal Government also made budgetary provisions. These funds were administered through the Ministry of Finance,” he explained.
Although he was not in office when most of the funds were released, Alausa said public office holders have a duty to account for the actions of the institutions they lead.
“Government is a continuum. Even though I was not the minister when many of these transactions occurred, I have a responsibility to appear before the Senate because public institutions must always account to Nigerians,” he said.
The minister announced a major policy shift, revealing that the Safe Schools Initiative has now been officially transferred from the Federal Ministry of Finance to the Federal Ministry of Education.
He said the decision was initiated shortly after he assumed office because the ministry responsible for education policy should also coordinate the programme’s implementation and monitoring.
“It was difficult to justify keeping the financing and coordination of a programme designed to protect schools outside the Ministry of Education. That transfer has now been completed,” Alausa said.
He disclosed that the ministry has established a dedicated Safe Schools Department to provide strategic leadership, coordinate implementation with state governments and strengthen monitoring of projects nationwide.
Reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving education, Alausa said the administration considers the safety of learners a top national priority.
He added that the Ministry of Education is working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to implement a comprehensive national school safety framework.
According to him, the initiative extends beyond deploying security personnel to schools and includes perimeter fencing, solar-powered lighting, surveillance systems, water and sanitation facilities, early warning mechanisms and other infrastructure designed to create safer learning environments.
“We need a coordinated national framework where every institution performs its role effectively while the Ministry of Education provides overall policy direction and leadership,” he said.
Committee members endorsed the interface, insisting that the Senate was carrying out its constitutional oversight responsibility to strengthen transparency and public confidence in the management of public resources.
Before the committee adjourned into executive session, Kalu reminded public officials that responding to legislative invitations was a constitutional obligation, adding that oversight remained one of the National Assembly’s most important responsibilities.
The committee is expected to continue its engagements with key government officials, including the Minister of Finance, before presenting its findings and recommendations to the Senate.