Atiku Demands Accountability Over N144.86bn Safe Schools Fund

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to account for the N144.86 billion allocated to the Financing Safe Schools Initiative between 2023 and 2026.

Atiku made the demand amid renewed concerns over the safety of schools across the country, following a series of attacks and abductions involving pupils, students and teachers.

The Safe Schools Initiative was designed to strengthen the security of educational institutions and protect children from attacks, with the Federal Government announcing a total investment plan of N144.86 billion for the 2023–2026 period.

However, Atiku questioned the impact of the huge financial commitment, arguing that the continued attacks on schools suggested that the initiative had failed to deliver the level of protection expected.

He urged the government to provide Nigerians with a detailed account of how the funds had been disbursed and utilised, as well as the projects and security measures implemented under the programme.

His demand comes against the backdrop of the Senate’s ongoing investigation into the Safe Schools Initiative. The Senate ad hoc committee expanded its probe in July to cover other education-related agencies, including TETFund, NELFUND, UBEC and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, with the aim of establishing how funds meant for education and school safety had been managed.

Atiku has previously criticised the Federal Government over attacks on schools, saying the worsening insecurity makes a mockery of the Safe Schools Initiative and calling for urgent action to rescue abducted schoolchildren.

He maintained that protecting schools must go beyond policy announcements, insisting that adequate security, accountability and effective implementation were necessary to guarantee a safe learning environment for Nigerian children.

Atiku therefore challenged the Federal Government to make public a comprehensive breakdown of the N144.86 billion Safe Schools Fund and demonstrate how the expenditure had translated into improved security for schools nationwide.

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