By Hajara Abdullahi
The Commander, National Safe Schools Response and Coordination Centre, Emmanuel Ocheja, has revealed plans to deploy more security officials to schools across the country to deter potential threats and ensure the protection of children.
Ocheja disclosed this during an interview with Sunday PUNCH, adding that the project is focused on providing a broad security framework that integrates physical measures with intelligence-driven operations.
He stated that the project would also involve communities where schools are located to facilitate the sharing of critical information.
“State governments and other stakeholders will be more involved in areas such as collaboration, sensitization, and the establishment of Command and Control Centres,” he said.
Ocheja further explained that non-kinetic approaches like dialogue and sensitization would be utilized, while emphasizing that kinetic measures would also be deployed when necessary. He added that the centres would enhance effective communication.
“These centres are expected to coordinate activities in both urban and rural schools and facilitate timely communication with the project’s headquarters,” he noted.
The project would also provide training for teachers, principals, and students on security awareness and safety tips, enabling schools and communities to identify threats and respond effectively to emergencies.
The Safe Schools Initiative, launched after the abduction of the Chibok girls in 2014, commenced with a $10 million pledge and later received multiple donor trust funds coordinated with the United Nations to protect education from attacks.
In 2015, Nigeria signed and, in 2019, ratified the Safe Schools Declaration. The country also hosted the 4th Global SSD Conference in Abuja. In 2021, it adopted a National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools.
The initiative is funded through collaboration between federal, state, and donor contributions, with a financing plan of N144.8 billion earmarked for 2023–2026.
However, state co-funding remains a challenge, as only a portion of the funds has been released. The lack of proper fund utilization and the failure to fully implement the program have left many schools vulnerable to attacks, widening the gap between enrollment and out-of-school children, particularly in rural and underserved communities.