The Senate has expanded its investigation into the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) and granted its Ad-hoc Committee an additional three weeks to complete its work, extending the probe to key education and social intervention agencies.
The expanded investigation will now cover the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
The decision followed a motion moved by the committee chairman, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who argued that the Safe Schools Initiative cannot be effectively assessed without examining related agencies involved in educational funding, student welfare and social intervention programmes.
Introducing the motion, Kalu said issues surrounding school security, educational infrastructure and support programmes for vulnerable learners are interconnected.
“The issues surrounding student security, educational infrastructure funding and social intervention schemes for vulnerable learners across the country are deeply interwoven. Investigating the Safe Schools Initiative without reviewing these complementary bodies will result in fragmented legislative oversight,” he said.
According to him, broadening the committee’s mandate will enable lawmakers to produce a comprehensive report aimed at improving accountability, transparency and the protection of students.
Under the new mandate, the committee will review funding flows, operational challenges and accountability mechanisms within the Safe Schools Initiative and the affected agencies.
It will also assess school feeding programmes, relief support for displaced students, educational rehabilitation projects, TETFund-funded infrastructure, NELFUND’s loan disbursement processes and UBEC interventions in basic education.
Kalu said the committee required more time to complete visits to critical locations and finalize outstanding aspects of the investigation.
“We’re supposed to submit our report, and there are four key areas that were not done. I needed the permission of the Senate so that we can conclude it in the next two or three weeks and come back with a report,” he stated.
Following a voice vote, senators approved the request for a three-week extension.
The Senate launched the probe in December 2025 amid concerns over continued attacks on schools despite years of government funding and policy interventions.
The investigation was further prompted by the abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, where bandits reportedly killed the school’s vice principal.
The Safe Schools Initiative was established in 2014 after the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State. The programme was designed to improve security around schools through collaboration between the Federal Government, international partners and the private sector.
During previous hearings, the committee raised concerns over the management of funds allocated to the initiative, including ₦15 billion released in 2023. Lawmakers also questioned consultancy expenditures and directed the Safe Schools Financing Office to provide detailed records of funds, contractors and related documentation.
Officials have disclosed that the initiative has received funding from the Federal Government, international development partners and private sector contributors.
With its expanded mandate, the committee is expected to deliver a broader assessment of how education and humanitarian intervention funds are managed and whether existing programmes are effectively meeting the security and welfare needs of Nigerian students.
 and granted its Ad-hoc Committee an additional three........){kind=link}