Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
As the Nigerian schools especially in the northern part of the country tend to be unsafe each day that passes by despite the huge investments, the Senate on Wednesday, said it’s summoning the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and his education counterpart, Tunji Alausa to appear before it.
They are to appear before its Ad-hoc Committee to explain the collapse of the $30 million Safe School Initiative.
The scope of the investigation includes the utilisation of funds allocated since 2014; deployment and effectiveness of security personnel; early-warning and emergency response systems; infrastructure upgrades in vulnerable schools; and partnerships with international donors and private-sector contributors.
The investigation was triggered by national outrage following the recent abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, and more than 200 pupils from St. Mary Catholic School in Niger State.
The committee, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, fixed the appearance for Tuesday next week after adopting its work plan in its maiden meeting.
It was said that the committee also resolved to summon other key stakeholders connected to the failed initiative, including the Minister of Defence, Lt Gen Christopher Musa (rtd); the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Mohammed Abubakar Audi; and representatives of school proprietors.
Addressing journalists after the inaugural sitting, Senator Kalu vowed that the Senate would unravel all issues surrounding the implementation of the programme and ensure full accountability.
He revealed that more than 1,680 schoolchildren had been kidnapped and 180 educational facilities attacked since 2014, describing the situation as “unacceptable for a nation committed to educational development and child safety.”
It is unacceptable that our schools remain soft targets for terrorists and kidnappers,” he said.
He said that the committee would “track every naira and every dollar allocated to the Safe School Initiative, some of which were the $30 million mobilised between 2014 and 2021, aside from the latest N144 billion released by the federal government.
“Nigerians deserve to know why, despite enormous investment and global support, our schools remain unsafe.
“The committee will undertake a comprehensive financial and operational audit, engaging federal ministries, state governments, security agencies and civil society partners.”
He added that the Senate owed Nigerian parents a duty to guarantee their children could pursue education without fear, emphasising that the probe was not aimed at any individual or agency but was designed to strengthen transparency and accountability.