Calls for Better School Safety Framework in Nigeria

Stakeholders at the 7th Annual Summit of the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) have asked for a national plan to better protect schools from attacks and other security threats.

The stakeholders made this request on Wednesday at the summit in Lagos. The theme was "Schools Under Threat: From Reactive Responses to Sustainable Protection."

They noted that Nigeria has launched several policies to improve school safety. But weak coordination among government agencies, security bodies, state governments, schools, communities, and civil society groups is still a problem.

The summit had a wide range of speakers and panellists. These included Halima Iliya, the National Coordinator for Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria; Lagos Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun; Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ); and others involved in education and security.

Joseph Awoyinka, representing the summit chairperson, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said Nigeria's approach to school safety has gaps due to fragmentation.

"Policy exists, but implementation is inconsistent," said Mr Ogundipe, who chairs the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He urged for a national approach to align federal, state, and local efforts. This would clarify roles and improve accountability.

"Coordination should not depend on personality or political affiliation. It must be institutionalised," he said.

Mr Ogundipe added that school safety should include more than just physical security like fencing and cameras.

He called for emergency plans in schools, including evacuation procedures, communication plans, safe rooms, and trained staff who can handle emergencies.

He pointed out that rural and conflict-prone schools need special attention. School safety should also be included in government budgets and planning.

"For too long, our responses have been largely reactive. We mobilize security after an incident, issue statements of condemnation, and provide temporary relief. While these actions are needed, they are not enough," Mr Ogundipe said.

Nigeria has had the Safe Schools Initiative since 2014, after the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State. The country also signed the Safe Schools Declaration in 2019 and has a National Plan on Financing Safe Schools for 2023-2026.

In her remarks, Ms Iliya said the federal government set up a national response coordination center and assessed the needs of vulnerable schools and communities.

She mentioned that the program includes training for parents, teachers, students, and community members. Security agencies are also being supported to improve their ability to respond to threats.

According to her, states should include the Safe Schools program in their annual budgets.

In his keynote speech, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, represented by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, called for better coordination among security agencies, schools, and communities.

Mr Disu said protecting schools properly means moving from reacting to attacks to identifying weaknesses, gathering information, and preventing threats.

He encouraged school staff, parents, students, and community members to report any credible security concerns.

He also highlighted the need for trust between security agencies and the community. Trust is important for effective partnerships.

Mr Disu said schools should have safety plans and emergency procedures that fit their locations and sizes.

"The future of our nation depends, in no small measure, on the opportunities we create for our children today. Protecting those opportunities is a responsibility we must all take seriously," he said.

Ms Alaka stated that education journalists have a role in spotting vulnerabilities before they lead to attacks.

She urged journalists to understand what safe-school standards should be and to visit schools often, not just during crises or government events.

EWAN Chairperson Mojeed Alabi also encouraged journalists to look beyond reporting attacks. They should investigate warning signs, funding, emergency plans, and if authorities are following through on safety measures.

Mr Alabi said the success of school safety efforts should be judged by whether children can attend school without fear, teachers can teach safely, and parents can send their kids to school with confidence.