Hussaini Ibrahim 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Senate has established a 13-member ad hoc committee to investigate the spending of more than $30 million allocated to the Safe-School Programme aimed at protecting students and education facilities from attacks since 2014.
The programme was launched in the aftermath of the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction and involves multiple security and community-focused agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Safe School Parents Watch Network.
The investigative committee was constituted following a motion by Senator Abdullahi Yahaya (APC, Kebbi North), who expressed concern over the continued rise in kidnappings and violence targeting schools and worship centres despite significant government investment.
“The escalation of kidnappings across the country is alarming and requires urgent accountability for every naira spent,” Yahaya said during plenary on November 18.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the committee will be chaired by Senator Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North), with 12 lawmakers serving as members. The panel is expected to submit its findings within four weeks.
Akpabio said the review was essential to ensure children and teachers receive the protection the programme was designed to guarantee.
Nigeria continues to face widespread insecurity, with recent school abductions underscoring the need for fully functional and transparent safe-school mechanisms.
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Otamere Gladness 
Oluwatobi Adu