Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police, has promised to use intelligence-led policing and contemporary Technology to improve school security. He stressed the importance of cooperation between Security services, educational institutions, and host communities in order to safeguard schools against security concerns while speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on the Safe School program. Egbetokun, speaking on behalf of AIG Zone One, Ahmed Amani, listed goals including determining security threats, enhancing collaborations, and educating security guards and instructors on safety protocols. The government’s dedication to school safety was reiterated by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf through Commissioner for Education Ali Makoda.
Installing security systems and sending out security staff are examples of measures. Abayomi Shogunle, National Coordinator of the School Protection Squad, emphasised Nigeria’s security issues by mentioning Teacher deaths, school Infrastructure destruction, and kidnappings. According to a 2021 estimate, 19,000 teachers were relocated and more than 600 instructors were killed between 2012 and 2016. Shogunle emphasised the significance of the Safe School Declaration, which Nigeria signed in 2019, and connected these problems to the growing number of out-of-school children. Prof. Kamilu Fagge, a political analyst, recommended security authorities to work with local populations in order to improve information collection and respond quickly to security issues.
From Feb 2014-Dec 2022, there were 70 documented attacks on schools.
With multiple attacks targeting educational institutions, Nigeria has had serious issues with relation to School Security since 2019. From February 2014 to December 2022, there were 70 documented attacks on schools, which led to the Kidnapping of 60 teachers and school employees, the murders of 184 pupils, the abduction of 1,683 kids, and the injury of 88 others. 25 schools were assaulted and 1,440 children were kidnapped in 2021 alone. These concerning figures highlight how urgently Nigerian schools’ security procedures need to be improved.
To protect children and educational facilities from these threats, several states have put in place effective security measures. To create the Rapid Response Coordination Centre for Safe Schools, for example, Jigawa State spent more than ₦342 million. This centre is outfitted with cutting-edge security tools, such as GPS units, walkie-talkies, optical night vision devices, and ICT technologies, with the goal of establishing a strong security framework around schools. For rapid response activities, the state also sent out cars and motorcycles, which improved the capacity to respond to crises quickly.
Some barriers prevent schools from fully implementing security measures.
A similar dedication to tackling security issues and guaranteeing a positive learning environment was shown by Benue State, which set up a secure school coordination centre to strengthen security throughout educational institutions. Members of the community have experienced the effects of these initiatives. The head of a school-based management committee, Hassan Abdullahi, provided an example of how pupils successfully used safety instruction to foil an abduction attempt. Restoring trust among parents and other stakeholders about school attendance has been made possible by this readiness, he said.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos governmental also underlined the significance of school safety as a governmental priority. 24 schools received recognition from the state for their excellent adherence to safety programs, which they attributed to their genuine commitment to safety procedures and the consequent reduction of hazards on and around their campuses. Despite these initiatives, a number of barriers prevent schools from fully implementing security measures. One major issue is the absence of basic security infrastructure; as of August 2024, 2,851 of 5,474 registered schools were at risk of attacks because they lacked security guards, gates, and fences.
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More cooperation between communities, schools, and security organisations is also required to guarantee a coordinated response to threats. To overcome these obstacles, significant funding for security infrastructure, thorough staff and student training programs, and the creation of precise emergency response procedures are needed. Creating a Culture of alertness and involving communities in security initiatives are other essential measures in making schools safer. Through a number of programs and investments, Nigeria has improved school security, but more work is needed to solve current issues and guarantee the safety of teachers and children across the country.