Senate Summons Finance Minister, Others Over Collapse of Safe School Initiative

The Senate, through its ad-hoc committee investigating the collapse of the Safe School Initiative, has summoned the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to appear before it on Tuesday next week.

The summons followed the adoption of the committee’s work plan during its maiden meeting on Wednesday. The committee is chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North).

Other key stakeholders billed to appear before the panel include:

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi

Representatives of school proprietors

Speaking during the inaugural sitting, Senator Kalu vowed that the Senate would uncover all issues surrounding the initiative’s implementation and ensure full accountability.

He lamented that more than 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped and over 180 educational facilities attacked since 2014, describing the trend as unacceptable for a nation committed to education and child safety.

“It is unacceptable that our schools remain soft targets for terrorists and kidnappers,” he said.

Kalu disclosed that the probe will track every naira and dollar allocated to the Safe School Initiative, including the $30 million raised between 2014 and 2021, and the N144 billion recently released by the Federal Government.

“Nigerians deserve to know why, despite enormous investment and global support, our schools remain unsafe,” he added. “This committee will carry out a comprehensive financial and operational audit involving federal ministries, state governments, security agencies, and civil society partners.”

According to him, the investigation is not aimed at witch-hunting any individual or institution but at strengthening transparency, improving accountability, and restoring public confidence.

Scope of the Investigation

The committee will examine:

Utilisation of funds allocated since 2014

Deployment and effectiveness of security personnel

Early warning and emergency response systems

Infrastructure upgrades in vulnerable schools

Partnerships with international donors and private-sector contributors

The Senate’s decision follows renewed national outrage over recent student abductions:

25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State

Over 200 students from St. Mary Catholic School, Niger State

The committee said it owes Nigerian parents a duty to ensure that children can pursue their education without fear or insecurity.