His Excellency, Distinguished President of Senate, Dr. Godwill Akpabio GCON has expanded, Conduct a Comprehensive investigation in the funding, Implementation and Accountability of Education, Social Intervention Programmes Across the Country.
Dr. Akpabio made this known while presiding over the Senate plenary on Tuesday.
The Distinguished Senate President extended the lifespan of its ad hoc committee investigating the Safe School Initiative and broaden the scope of the probe to include the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Universal Basic Education Commission, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the National Social Investigation Programme Agency.
According to Dr. Akpabio, the expansion was aimed at conducting a comprehensive investigation into funding, implementation and accountability of education and social intervention programmes linked to the safety welfare of students across the country.
The Distinguished Senate President said that the panel is further expected to audit infrastructure and security-related intervention projects funded by TETFund in tertiary institutions, assess NELFUND’s disbursement processes, operational readiness, administrative efficiency, and students’ access to education loans, and examine UBEC’s interventions in basic education.
Dr. Akpabio reiterated that with the expanded mandate, the Senate committee is expected to present a broader assessment of how education, security and humanitarian intervention funds are being utilised and whether the various programmes are effectively addressing the safety, welfare and educational needs of Nigerian students.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the ad hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu APC, Abia North, pursuant to Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026 (as amended) sought the expansion of the committee’s terms of reference and additional time to conclude it’s assignment.
According to Senator Kalu preliminary investigations had revealed strong links between the implementation and funding of the Safe Schools Initiative and several government agencies responsible for educational funding, student welfare, humanitarian interventions and social investment programmes.
Senator Kalu added that limiting the investigation to the Safe Schools Initiative alone would prevent the Senate from carrying out a comprehensive assessment of issues affecting school security and educational interventions.
“The issues surrounding student security, educational infrastructure funding and social intervention schemes for vulnerable learners across the country are deeply interwoven. Investigating the Safe Schools Initiative without reviewing these complementary bodies will result in fragmented legislative oversight,” Senator Kalu stated.
He stated that broadening the committee’s mandate had become necessary to enable the Senate to produce a comprehensive report that could strengthen accountability, safeguard students, and improve transparency in the management of intervention funds.
Senator Kalu said that under the expanded mandate, the committee will evaluate financial flows, operational challenges and accountability mechanisms across the Safe Schools Initiative and the affected agencies.
According to him, It will also review social safety net allocations linked to school feeding programmes, emergency relief for displaced students and educational rehabilitation initiatives implemented through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and NSIPA.
In seeking the Senate’s approval, Senator Kalu remarked that the committee required additional time because some critical aspects of the investigation had yet to be completed due to its extensive workload and other legislative engagements.
“We’re supposed to submit our report, and there are four key areas that were not done. I needed the permission of the Senate so that we can conclude it in the next two or three weeks and come back with a report,” he said.
EmemMaria Offiong nipr.
Deputy Director (Information, Press & Public Relations)
21st July, 2026.
