FG allocates ₦15billion to fund Safe Schools Initiative

The Federal Government has announced an allocation of ₦15 billion to support the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative for the year 2023. Halima Illiya Ibrahim, the National Coordinator of the Safe Schools Initiative, shared this information during a press briefing held in Abuja.

Ibrahim explained that the primary goal of the initiative is to ensure that children affected by conflicts and insecurity can continue their education without disruption. It aims to address attacks on schools and create a conducive environment for learning.

To effectively execute the initiative’s commitments, the former Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, approved the establishment of the Financing Safe Schools Secretariat/Unit. This unit is tasked with planning and coordinating Safe Schools activities within the Ministry.

Ibrahim noted that a technical committee, composed of critical agencies such as the Ministry of Education, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Security Service (DSS), and the Defence Headquarters, has been formed. This committee is responsible for developing a National Plan for Financing Safe Schools.

According to Ibrahim, the committees have formulated a plan to be implemented between 2023 and 2026, with a total investment of ₦144.86 billion projected for December 2022. The plan outlines budgetary allocations of ₦32.58 billion in 2023, ₦36.98 billion in 2024, ₦37.15 billion in 2025, and ₦38.03 billion in 2026.

Funding for the initiative will come from various sources, including annual budgetary provisions from federal, state, and local governments, as well as contributions from government interventionist agencies, foreign and multilateral institutions, businesses, philanthropists, donors, partners, and other stakeholders.

Ibrahim emphasized that the implementation strategy aims to cover 50% of the most vulnerable public schools over the medium term (2023–2026). She also revealed that the national plan’s implementation has commenced in 18 high-risk states and 48 schools, with the goal of expanding to other states by 2024.

Among the objectives of the plan, Ibrahim highlighted the creation and integration of security-resilient host communities to protect educational institutions.

Ebenezer Leo, representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, emphasized that safeguarding schools is a collective responsibility. He stated that stakeholders, states, and sub-national governments are fully committed to ensuring the protection of children and schools. Leo assured that the allocated funds would be utilized effectively, and he expressed confidence in achieving significant milestones by the end of the year.