Lawmakers launch sweeping audit after years of attacks on schools and mass abductions despite billions allocated to protect students….
The Senate has directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to appear before its ad-hoc committee investigating the collapse of the Safe School Initiative. His invitation comes after the committee, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), adopted its work plan at its maiden sitting on Wednesday.
Also expected to appear before the committee in the coming days are the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa; the Chief of Defence Staff; the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar Audi; as well as representatives of school owners and administrators.
Addressing journalists shortly after the inaugural meeting, Senator Kalu vowed that the Senate would conduct a thorough inquiry into the fate of the initiative, which was created to shield schools from terrorist attacks but has since failed to prevent repeated abductions.
According to Kalu, more than 1,680 students have been kidnapped and 180 learning facilities attacked since 2014, an alarming trend he described as unacceptable for a nation committed to educating its children.
“It is unacceptable that our schools remain soft targets for terrorists and kidnappers,” he said.
The committee plans to examine every release and expenditure tied to the Safe School Initiative, including the $30 million raised between 2014 and 2021, and the recent ₦144 billion disbursed by the Federal Government.
Kalu stressed that Nigerians deserve clear answers on why such significant investment has not translated into safer schools, noting that the probe would involve a comprehensive financial and operational audit. Ministries, state governments, security agencies, civil society groups, and international partners will be invited to account for their roles.
He emphasized that the investigation is not a witch hunt but an effort to strengthen transparency and restore public confidence, particularly for parents who fear sending their children to school.
Key areas under review include:
- How funds allocated since 2014 were used
- Deployment and effectiveness of security personnel
- Functionality of early-warning and emergency response systems
- Security-related upgrades in high-risk schools
- Collaboration with donor agencies and private-sector supporters
The Senate’s action follows renewed public outrage after the recent abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, and the kidnapping of over 200 students from St. Mary Catholic School in Niger State.
