The Senate has expanded its ongoing investigation into the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) to include several key government agencies involved in education funding, student welfare, and humanitarian interventions.
The agencies now under review include the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
The decision followed a motion presented on Tuesday by the Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who argued that examining the initiative without reviewing related agencies would provide only a partial understanding of the issues affecting school safety and educational interventions.
According to Kalu, school security, educational infrastructure funding, and social intervention programmes for vulnerable learners are closely connected, making a broader investigation necessary to ensure effective legislative oversight.
With the expanded mandate, the committee will assess funding mechanisms, operational challenges, accountability systems, and the implementation of projects linked to the Safe Schools Initiative and the affected agencies.
The investigation will also examine school feeding programmes, emergency support for displaced students, and educational rehabilitation projects managed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NSIPA.
In addition, lawmakers will review TETFund-funded infrastructure and security projects, evaluate NELFUND’s loan disbursement process, operational efficiency, and student accessibility, and assess education interventions carried out by UBEC.
Senator Kalu also requested additional time to complete the investigation, explaining that the committee had been unable to visit some critical locations due to scheduling constraints and other legislative responsibilities.
The Senate subsequently approved a three-week extension, allowing the committee to conclude its investigation and submit its final report.
The renewed focus on the Safe Schools Initiative comes amid growing concerns over the safety of students following the recent abduction of 25 female students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, during which the school’s Vice Principal was reportedly killed by armed bandits.
The Safe Schools Initiative was launched in May 2014 after the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State. The programme was established through a partnership between the Federal Government, the United Nations, and private sector stakeholders to improve security in schools, particularly in conflict-affected communities.
The Senate’s investigation has already raised concerns over the management of funds allocated to the initiative. During previous hearings, lawmakers questioned the disbursement of ₦15 billion released in 2023, with the Nigerian Police Force receiving ₦6.225 billion, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) receiving ₦3.362 billion, Defence Headquarters allocated ₦2.250 billion, and the Federal Ministry of Education receiving ₦519 million. The amount allocated to the Department of State Services (DSS) was not publicly disclosed.
The committee has also queried alleged financial irregularities and consultancy expenditures linked to the programme, directing the Safe Schools Financing Office to provide a comprehensive breakdown of all funds received and spent, including details of contractors and supporting documents related to the Central Bank of Nigeria Trust Fund account.
During one of the investigative sessions, the National Coordinator of Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria, Hajia Halima Iliya, disclosed that the initiative received funding from both local and international partners. According to her, contributions include $10 million each from the Federal Government and Nigerian business leaders, $1 million from the African Development Bank, €2 million from the German Government, $4 million from the Norwegian Government managed through UNICEF, as well as additional support from USAID, the Qatar Foundation, and several United Nations agencies.
