The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) spearheaded a media roundtable in Lagos and Bauchi, uniting stakeholders to activate the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) to combat violence in Nigerian schools.
The dialogue underscored the urgent need to secure learning environments, curb violence and harassment in schools, and mobilize the media as a critical partner to enhance the reporting of Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) to strengthen public awareness and engagement to drive the demand for adoption of the SSD bill and to secure government commitment for financing safe schools across Nigeria.
Mary George-Pelulola, WARDC’s Director of Operations in Lagos, decried the current status of security in schools across the country noting that it has become a pressing concern that affects not just the students but the nation as a whole.
George-Pelulola urged the media to actively support the advocacy and help to promote safe schools initiatives, specifically through amplified reporting.
Acknowledging the safety and security challenges in schools across the country, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, lamented the pervasive insecurity that endangers students and educators in Nigerian learning environments.
He noted that the recent crises highlight the urgent need for collective action.
“The challenges confronting our schools in recent years have underscored the urgent need for collective and strategic action to safeguard our learning environments and uphold the sanctity of education,” he said.
Mr Olumuyiwa who was represented by Ms Felicia Meka-Ogudu, from the School Safety Unit in the Ministry shared that the Ministry of Education has led and coordinated national efforts to institutionalize safe learning environments across the country.
She buttressed that “the safety and security of our learners, educators, and educational infrastructure remains a central priority of the Ministry.”
As part of the efforts to improve the safety of students in schools, Ms Meka-Ogudu shared that the “Ministry developed the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools (NPSSVFS), accompanied by comprehensive Implementation Guidelines to guide stakeholders at all levels on expected standards and responsibilities.
“Further advancing this commitment, the Ministry implemented the Safe Schools Declaration Plan of Action (PoA) 2021–2023, which provided a structured roadmap for multi-sectoral engagement and programmatic interventions. Building upon the achievements and lessons learned from that phase, we have recently unveiled the National Safe Schools Strategic Plan (NSSSP) 2024–2027.
“This strategic framework was developed through a comprehensive review process, referencing relevant national and international instruments, and with strong leadership from the Federal Government.”
Ms. Meka-Ogudu affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to fully implementing the Safe Schools Declaration, ensuring that every student, teacher, and school staff member in Nigeria is protected from violence and harm.
Corroborating the support of the Nigerian Government through the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to ensure safety of schools across Nigeria, Mrs Uche Okwuobi, the Deputy Director NHRC noted that the commission has worked with WARDC and its partners to develop a draft National Bill on School Safety and Security.
Stressing that the draft bill has passed the first reading at the National House of Assembly, Mrs Okwuobi acknowledges that the bill, when passed will address the continuous attack on schools across Nigeria, which represents a gross violation of the rights to education.
“These attacks not only disrupt the education of our children, they also inflict lasting psychological trauma on their families and communities,” she added.
While the draft bill at the House of Assembly awaits approval, the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence Free Schools need to be implemented to safeguard the safety of learners while also upholding their rights to access education.
Chief Dr. Bridget Osakwe, represented by Patience Ikpeh-Obaulo, Head of Programmes of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), emphasized the SSD’s role in protecting students from violence, weapons, and threats.
She stated that the Declaration will ensure young people, especially those in conflict zones, can learn and thrive in safe spaces.
“The safe school initiative will help to ensure that every young person is offered a safe place to learn, play and realize their full potentials especially for children in emergencies and conflict,” Dr Osakwe said.
She urged the government and education stakeholders to address the crisis of violent attacks on students by implementing effective safe school management and supporting the Safe Schools Declaration.
Emmanuela Azu, WARDC’s Head of Programmes, called on the Nigerian government to fully activate the Safe Schools Declaration by implementing the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools which has passed the first reading, and the passing of the Safe Schools Bill.
Azu also demanded that the Nigerian government should implement the guidelines for protecting schools and universities from military use.
On his part, Prof Kehinde Olayode, Prof of International Relations and Governance at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), said the government needs to adopt and implement the National/State financing plan for immediate resources to enhance safety in schools.
Azu and Olayode both charged the media to highlight, sustain and put pressure on the government to ensure the financing of safe school initiatives across the country.
Media professionals at the roundtable pledged to elevate the safe schools agenda through investigative reports, data-driven stories, and in-depth features. Their commitment aims to hold the government accountable and secure funding for safe school initiatives across Nigeria.