By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for an immediate forensic investigation into the Safe Schools Initiative, questioning the utilisation of billions of naira allocated to secure schools following reports that at least 65 primary and secondary schools across northern Nigeria have been shut down due to worsening insecurity.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the civil rights group described the widespread closure of schools as a national embarrassment and evidence of government’s failure to guarantee the safety of schoolchildren.
HURIWA said despite huge financial commitments to the Safe Schools Initiative since it was launched after the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, terrorists, bandits and kidnappers continue to force thousands of children out of classrooms across the region.
The organisation particularly cited reports that schools in 20 of Sokoto State’s 23 local government areas have been closed indefinitely over security concerns, describing the situation as unacceptable.
According to HURIWA, Nigerians deserve answers on how funds earmarked for securing schools have been spent, asking government to account for the beneficiaries, contracts awarded, projects executed and the impact of the programme.
The association recalled that the Federal Government’s National Plan on Financing Safe Schools for 2023-2026 projected an expenditure of ₦144.86 billion, comprising ₦32.58 billion in 2023, ₦36.98 billion in 2024, ₦37.15 billion in 2025 and ₦38.03 billion in 2026.
It also noted reports that more than $30 million had been mobilised for the initiative since its establishment.
HURIWA argued that the continued closure of schools despite these allocations raises serious concerns over the management of the programme.
The group therefore urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate all funds allocated, released or donated to the Safe Schools Initiative.
It said the investigation should establish what was budgeted, the amount released, beneficiaries of the funds, contracts awarded, projects delivered and identify anyone responsible for alleged diversion, contract inflation or abandonment of projects.
The rights group also challenged the National Assembly to conduct a public hearing into the finances and implementation of the initiative by summoning relevant ministries, agencies, programme managers and contractors.
According to HURIWA, prolonged school closures expose children to greater risks, including child labour, early marriage, trafficking, recruitment into criminal and extremist groups, radicalisation and permanent disruption of their education.
The association called for an emergency national response involving the Federal Ministry of Education, state ministries of education and the Federal Capital Territory education authorities to strengthen school security through improved intelligence, deployment of security personnel, protection for teachers, safe transportation, emergency learning centres and continuous monitoring of vulnerable schools.
It further urged that any funds recovered through anti-corruption investigations should be dedicated solely to rebuilding and securing affected schools.
HURIWA also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to order a comprehensive audit of the Safe Schools Initiative and make the findings public, insisting that those grass pplfound culpable should be prosecuted and misappropriated funds recovered.
“The money allocated to protect our children must protect our children not the pockets of government officials, contractors or their political allies,” the organisation stated.
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