The Federal Government has reinforced its commitment to safeguarding Nigerian students with the launch of a comprehensive Smart School Protection Strategy designed to strengthen security across schools nationwide.
The initiative was unveiled during a strategic engagement between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), underscoring the administration’s zero tolerance for attacks on educational institutions and its resolve to guarantee the safety of every Nigerian child.
Speaking during a working visit to NSCDC, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON accompanied by the Honourable Minister of State for Education Prof Suiwaba Said Ahmad described the protection of learners as a non-negotiable national priority and a core responsibility of the government.
“Our children must feel safe in their classrooms. Schools must remain sanctuaries of learning, not targets of criminality. This renewed partnership with the NSCDC reflects a structured, proactive, and technology enabled approach to school security,” Dr Alausa stated.
The Minister of Education commended the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for the Corps’ dedication and for accepting expanded responsibility from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to safeguard public institutions. He stressed that Nigeria must move beyond temporary crisis responses and institutionalize a preventive and permanent security framework, particularly for schools in high-risk areas.
As part of the strengthened framework, the Ministry is establishing a dedicated Department of Safe School Initiative to serve as the national coordinating body for school safety policy, monitoring, and inter-agency collaboration. The Department will work closely with the NSCDC, which remains the lead operational agency for school protection across the Federation.
According to him, a key pillar of the strategy is the deployment of smart security solutions, including emergency panic alert systems and rapid response mechanisms aimed at significantly reducing response time during security breaches. These measures will be integrated into enhanced command and control centres to enable swift, coordinated, and intelligence-driven interventions.
The Minister also highlighted the introduction of sustainable financing models to shield school protection efforts from irregular budgetary releases. According to him, the Ministry is advancing innovative funding mechanisms that will guarantee dedicated, first-line support for the Safe School Initiative and ensure consistent nationwide implementation.
Responding, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, described the engagement as historic and reaffirmed the Corps’ unwavering commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure, including schools.
He disclosed that a nationwide assessment conducted by the Corps revealed that over 60,000 of more than 81,000 schools across the country lack adequate security infrastructure, including perimeter fencing. He explained that the findings informed the creation of specialized units such as the Safe Schools Protection Squad and a trained Female Squad, which have collectively foiled more than 110 threats nationwide.
Professor Audi further emphasized community-based security initiatives such as the Schools Community Security Vanguard, which integrates parents, school administrators, traditional rulers, and youth groups to strengthen vigilance, intelligence gathering, and reporting systems at the grassroots level. He expressed optimism that strengthened collaboration with the Ministry of Education would enhance operational effectiveness, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Also speaking, the Lead Consultant of the NSCDC Safe School Project, Professor Fredrick Theo Temba, commended the Honourable Minister’s leadership and commitment to advancing the safety of Nigerian children. He expressed confidence in the President’s leadership and in the capacity of the current team to decisively address the challenge of school kidnappings.
The Smart School Protection Strategy represents a strategic shift from reactive responses to a coordinated, preventive national security architecture anchored on strong leadership, operational synergy, modern technology, sustainable investment, and community partnership.
The Federal Government remains resolute in its commitment to guaranteeing every Nigerian child safe, secure, and uninterrupted access to quality education in a conducive learning environment.
Signed
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
