The Director-General of the Institute for Police and Security Research, Charles Omole, has said the Safe School Initiative is a commendable programme but requires increased funding and stronger participation from state governments to achieve its intended goals.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, Omole noted that although the initiative is moving in the right direction, its implementation has been limited due to inadequate funding and insufficient commitment at the state level.
He emphasized that protecting schools should not be viewed as the sole responsibility of the Federal Government, pointing out that state governments have a significant role to play, especially since many public schools are under their management.
The Safe School Initiative was introduced after the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram in 2014. It was initially backed by ₦20 billion to improve school security, strengthen infrastructure, and enhance emergency response systems.
In 2023, the Federal Government announced a ₦144.8 billion funding plan for the programme covering the 2023 to 2026 period, with implementation expected to involve the federal and state governments alongside development partners.
Omole argued that school security goes beyond deploying security personnel, stressing that the physical condition of school facilities is equally important.
He questioned whether schools lacking perimeter fencing and other basic security features could truly be regarded as safe learning environments.
The security expert also highlighted poor infrastructure in some public schools, noting that pupils in certain areas continue to learn in classrooms affected by flooding during the rainy season.
According to him, state governments must prioritize upgrading school infrastructure and installing essential security measures, as these are key components of the Safe School Initiative.
He added that once schools have proper fencing and other protective measures in place, security agencies will be better positioned to support efforts aimed at safeguarding students, teachers, and school facilities.
