Fresh Attacks: Group Questions Effectiveness Of Safe Schools Initiative

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has raised concerns over renewed attacks on schools in northern Nigeria, wondering the effectiveness of the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI).

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Isaac Abrak, the group wondered why the initiative and its partner agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), failed to provide adequate protection despite receiving more than $20 million in support from government and international donors.

This followed the recent killings and mass abductions in two schools—Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, and St. Mary’s School, Agwara LGA, Niger State.

It questioned the effectiveness and visibility of the Safe Schools Initiative, originally created in the aftermath of the 2014 Chibok abductions.

NCYP asked what preventive or response measures the SSI–NSCDC partnership took prior to the recent attacks.

“Despite huge national and international investments, terrorists continue to target schools, particularly in northern Nigeria,” the organisation said, adding that recent incidents “demand transparency and accountability.”

$20 Million Donated — But Where Are the Results?

The NCYP highlighted publicly reported contributions to the Safe Schools Initiative, including:

$10 million pledged by private sector leaders

About $10 million pledged by the Federal Government

A further $4.2 million approved by the Federal Executive Council

$2 million from the United States Government through USAID

$2 million from the Government of Qatar

Despite this support, NCYP said the Initiative has been “largely silent” as attacks intensify.

The group called for a comprehensive public report detailing school safety activities, expenditure breakdowns, implementing partners, monitoring and evaluation outcomes, and emergency response actions taken during recent attacks.

NCYP reiterated its long-standing call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fully implement a community-driven Forest Guard programme, arguing that rural communities—most affected by terrorism—must be directly involved in protecting their own schools.

The organisation said community members living near forests “are the most committed defenders of their schools and children,” adding that only a locally recruited Forest Guard structure can effectively counter terrorists operating from forested areas.(Daily trust)