Over 60,000 schools lack security – FG

The Federal Government has disclosed that more than 60,000 of Nigeria’s estimated 81,000 schools lack basic security infrastructure. It also announced the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as the lead agency for school protection nationwide under the Safe Schools Initiative. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated this on Wednesday during an […]

The Federal Government has disclosed that more than 60,000 of Nigeria’s estimated 81,000 schools lack basic security infrastructure.

It also announced the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as the lead agency for school protection nationwide under the Safe Schools Initiative.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated this on Wednesday during an official visit to the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, in Abuja, where discussions centred on improving coordination, intelligence sharing and rapid response to threats against schools.

Alausa said the government has zero tolerance for attacks on educational institutions and would deploy all necessary measures to ensure the safety of learners and uninterrupted academic activities across the country.

He described student abductions and violent attacks on schools as unacceptable, stressing that safeguarding schools is a collective responsibility.

“We will move from knee jerk responses to a continuous security presence, especially in vulnerable schools. Our children must remain safe in school, and this administration is committed to providing the resources and structure required,” the minister said.

He announced the establishment of a full-fledged safe schools department within the Federal Ministry of Education to coordinate national implementation of the initiative and deepen collaboration with the NSCDC.

According to him, the government will also introduce improved response systems, including technology-driven alert mechanisms such as panic buttons linked to command centres for swift deployment of security personnel.

 

Alausa further revealed that naming the NSCDC as the lead agency would replace fragmented and reactive security arrangements with clearer operational coordination.

 

Responding, NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Audi, said vulnerability assessments conducted nationwide revealed that over 60,000 schools were porous and lacked basic security measures.