Nigeria’s Senate Committee investigating the implementation and funding of the Safe Schools Initiative has expanded its inquiry to include a broader examination of financial flows, accountability structures, and operational frameworks across relevant government ministries and agencies.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, disclosed this during an investigative session with the Minister of Finance, emphasising that preliminary findings revealed significant interdependencies between education, security, and social protection programmes.
According to Senator Kalu, the Senate’s review of documents and initial engagements showed the need for a more comprehensive investigation into how funds allocated to the Safe Schools Initiative and related interventions have been managed and disbursed.
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He stated that the Federal Ministry of Finance occupies a central position in the investigation because it serves as the clearing house for government budgetary releases and financial transactions.
“Our mandate requires us to trace the entire financial trail and determine how funds have impacted schools and the learning environment. It is important to identify delays, bottlenecks, and gaps within the framework of the law,” Senator Kalu said.
The senator stressed that the investigation was not intended as a witch-hunt but was part of the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight responsibilities under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He said the committee is seeking detailed information on budgetary allocations, actual releases, intervention funds, co-financing arrangements, and international donor contributions linked to the Safe Schools Initiative and other related programmes from 2020 to date.
Senator Kalu noted that transparency and accountability were critical to ensuring value for money and safeguarding Nigerian students, adding that the findings would help provide a foundation for future reforms.
The senator also commended the Minister of Finance for her consistent cooperation with the National Assembly, describing her as a committed public servant who regularly honours invitations from Senate committees.
“I want to thank and congratulate you for your willingness to engage with the Senate. Your presence demonstrates respect for democratic institutions and the Nigerian people whom we all serve,” Senator Kalu said.
Responding, the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, expressed appreciation to the Senate and the committee for their commitment to improving school safety across the country.
Oyedele described the Safe Schools Initiative as a critical national programme aimed at ensuring that students and teachers can operate in secure learning environments.
“This is not just about today; it is about the future of our country. Every student should be able to attend school knowing that the government is committed to their safety and protection,” he said.
The minister acknowledged that the government had identified areas requiring improvement, particularly regarding the timeliness of funding releases, coordination among security agencies, and mechanisms for strengthening transparency and accountability.
While declining to discuss sensitive details in an open session, Oyedele assured lawmakers that the executive arm remained committed to working closely with the National Assembly to address any shortcomings uncovered during the investigation.
He further emphasised that government remains a continuum and that public officials must accept responsibility for the institutions they oversee, regardless of when challenges originated.
“Whenever we discover that something has not been done properly, it is our responsibility to acknowledge it, correct it, and ensure that the Nigerian people benefit from better governance going forward,” he said.
Following the public hearing, the committee indicated that further discussions would continue in a closed-door session to allow for more detailed deliberations on the issues under investigation.
