Stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector have called for a broader approach to school safety. They said governments, teachers, parents, communities and technology providers must work together to protect schools.
They made the call during the 4th Michael Alogba Olukoya Annual Lecture and Award Series organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Wing, in Ikeja.
NUT calls for stronger school security
The Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Hassan Akintoye Mujeeb, described this year’s theme, “School Safety: Stakeholders’ Strategies and Inputs,” as timely.
According to him, learning cannot thrive where fear and insecurity exist. He said schools should remain centres of learning, creativity and character development. He warned against allowing violence, bullying, abuse, drug-related activities and other security threats to disrupt education.
Mujeeb said:
“A safe school is one where every child feels protected. A safe school is one where teachers can discharge their duties without intimidation or fear. A safe school is one where parents confidently release their children every morning, knowing they will return home safely.”
Government, teachers and parents have key roles
Mujeeb urged governments to improve school infrastructure. He also called for perimeter fencing, functional security systems and effective emergency response mechanisms.
In addition, he asked governments to introduce policies that guarantee safe learning environments. He urged teachers to identify early signs of bullying, abuse, violence and emotional distress among students. He also encouraged parents to strengthen moral values at home and maintain close communication with schools.
Police advocate shared responsibility
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, spoke through Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Okonkwo. He said school safety should not remain the responsibility of security agencies alone. Instead, he urged all stakeholders to work together.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force’s Safe School Model combines intelligence gathering, specialised school protection squads, risk assessment and community policing to improve security around schools. He also recommended adopting international initiatives such as the Safe Schools Declaration and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.
Technology can improve school safety
The police commissioner called for surveillance cameras in schools. He also recommended digital attendance systems and panic buttons linked to police command centres. Furthermore, he urged schools to conduct regular emergency drills. He encouraged stronger collaboration among schools, security agencies, Parent-Teacher Associations and host communities.
He also proposed the creation of School Community Security Committees and a Safe School Trust Fund to support security infrastructure, especially in public schools.
NSCDC warns against complacency
The Lagos State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Adedotun Keshinro, spoke through Corps Public Relations Officer Oluwaseun Abolurin. He warned that schools increasingly face threats such as kidnapping, cultism, bullying, arson and terrorism. Although Lagos remains relatively peaceful, he urged stakeholders not to become complacent.
He said:
“Prevention is cheaper than cure. The goal is to equip school managers with the tools to identify, assess and manage threats before they become tragedies.”
Seven measures to improve school security
The commandant explained that school threat assessment helps identify possible security risks before violence occurs.
He added:
“Every threat is a form of communication. When a child says, writes or does something concerning, we must ask, ‘What is this person telling us?'”
He recommended seven measures to improve school security:
- Establish Threat Assessment Teams in every school.
- Conduct regular vulnerability audits.
- Create confidential reporting channels.
- Train teachers to identify behavioural warning signs.
- Develop action plans for identified threats.
- Hold routine emergency drills with security agencies.
- Document and review security incidents regularly.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, and the Lagos State Director of the Department of State Security Services, Babajide Salako.
Read also: Orji Uzor Kalu urges Tinubu to pardon looters who return stolen funds
