Senate Intensifies Safe Schools Investigation, Summons Finance Ministry Over Funds Management

The Senate has intensified its investigation into the Safe Schools Initiative, demanding comprehensive financial records from the Federal Ministry of Finance as it seeks to unravel how billions of naira earmarked for protecting schools have been managed.

The demand was made on Friday by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee probing the Safe Schools Initiative during an investigative session with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, said the panel was mandated by the Senate to examine the funding structure, implementation and accountability mechanisms of the initiative amid concerns arising from its preliminary review of available records.

According to him, the committee will scrutinise financial allocations, donor contributions, fund disbursements and expenditure by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in implementing the programme.

“The Ministry of Finance occupies a critical position in this investigation because of its constitutional responsibility for managing public funds. Our assignment is to trace every allocation, donor contribution and disbursement made under the Safe Schools Initiative to ensure the resources were utilised for their intended purpose,” Kalu said.

He dismissed suggestions that the investigation was politically motivated, insisting that the exercise was part of the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight function.

“This is not a witch-hunt. Our responsibility is to ensure accountability, transparency and value for money in programmes designed to safeguard Nigerian schoolchildren,” he said.

Kalu also commended Oyedele for honouring the committee’s invitation, noting that although many of the transactions being investigated predated his appointment, government institutions remain accountable irrespective of changes in leadership.

Because of the sensitive security issues involved, the committee resolved to continue deliberations behind closed doors.

“We cannot discuss operational details in public because criminals are listening,” the senator stated before the session moved into executive proceedings.

In his response, Oyedele assured lawmakers that the ministry would fully cooperate with the investigation and provide all relevant documents required by the committee.

He described the protection of schools as a national security priority and acknowledged that delays in funding security agencies had affected the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative.

The minister identified the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) as key agencies responsible for implementing security interventions under the programme.

“We have identified challenges that require urgent attention, particularly the timely release of funds to agencies responsible for protecting schools. We are also strengthening transparency and accountability measures in the management of public resources,” Oyedele said.

He stressed that governance is a continuum and that public office holders must accept responsibility for the institutions they lead regardless of when they assumed office.

After the closed-door session, the minister told journalists that protecting schools requires coordinated action by the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies and other stakeholders.

He maintained that the focus should be on ensuring prompt release of security intervention funds to prevent attacks on schools rather than responding after incidents occur.

“What is important is making adequate resources available and releasing them on time. Timely funding enables preventive action instead of reactive measures after lives have been lost,” he said.

Oyedele also appealed to Nigerians and the media to support the country’s security efforts, warning that sensational reporting capable of amplifying the activities of terrorists and criminal groups could undermine ongoing operations.

He said securing schools and guaranteeing a safe learning environment for children remains a collective responsibility requiring the commitment of all Nigerians.