The Nigerian Government has allocated N15 billion for the implementation of the Financing Safe Schools initiative in 2023. The Ministry of Information and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning announced this in a statement. The initiative, spearheaded by Halima Illiya Ibrahim, seeks to provide uninterrupted education for children affected by conflicts and insecurity.
Halima Illiya Ibrahim, the National Coordinator of the Safe Schools Initiative, disclosed that the funds are intended for the implementation of Financing Safe Schools for 2023. The primary objective is to ensure that children facing challenges due to conflicts and insecurity can continue their education without hindrance, while also addressing attacks on education.
The statement outlines the formation of a Technical Committee involving critical agencies such as the Ministry of Education, Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Security Service (DSS), and Defense Headquarters. This committee was responsible for developing a National Plan for Financing Safe Schools, launched in December 2022, with a total investment of N144.86 billion for the period 2023-2026.
Funding for the initiative will come from various sources, including annual budgetary provisions from federal, state, and local governments, government interventionists, foreign and multilateral institutions, businesses, philanthropists, donor partners, and others. The plan targets covering 50% of the most high-risk public schools over the medium term (2023-2026), initially focusing on 18 high-risk states and 48 schools, with plans for expansion to other states by 2024.
The initiative’s core objectives include building security-resilient host communities, strengthening the capabilities of security agents, equipping school security and response centers, and engaging with the Nigerian public and government officials to advocate for policy implementation.
