Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked the Federal Government to account for the ₦144.86bn allocated to the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools.
Atiku made the demand amid reports that insecurity has forced schools to close in about 40 local government areas. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said attacks by terrorists and bandits were worsening Nigeria’s education crisis.
“Where is the ₦144.86bn Safe Schools programme in all of this?” Atiku asked.
Atiku demands details of spending
The ADC presidential candidate asked the government to disclose how much of the fund it had released and the agencies or contractors that received the money. He also called for details of the schools covered and the security facilities provided. Atiku said the government should focus on protecting pupils and teachers rather than simply announcing funds for school security.
“Budgeting money is not the same thing as securing schools. The true measure of a Safe Schools programme is whether our children can actually go to school safely,” he said.
He proposed greater use of local intelligence, early-warning systems and rapid response teams around vulnerable schools. Atiku also cited recent school attacks in Borno State, saying insecurity continues to keep children away from classrooms. He urged the Federal Government to rescue abducted students and improve security around schools. The former vice president said every naira spent on the Safe Schools programme should produce clear results.
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