The Senate ad-hoc committee investigating the Safe Schools Initiative has intensified its probe into the funding and implementation of the programme, demanding comprehensive financial records from the Federal Ministry of Finance to establish how billions of naira in government allocations and international donor contributions were administered.
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The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, appeared before the committee on Friday at the National Assembly in Abuja to account for the release, disbursement and management of funds earmarked for protecting schools across the country.
The hearing, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, came hours after the committee engaged the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, as part of a wider legislative investigation into the funding, implementation and accountability framework of the Safe Schools Initiative.
Kalu said the committee was constituted by the Senate following concerns arising from its preliminary review of available financial records relating to the programme.
According to him, the investigation will examine government appropriations, donor contributions, disbursements and the utilisation of funds by ministries, departments, security agencies and other institutions involved in protecting schools.
“The Ministry of Finance occupies a central position in this investigation because of its constitutional responsibility for the management of public funds. Our task is to trace financial allocations, donor contributions, disbursements and utilisation of resources dedicated to protecting our schools and ensuring a safe learning environment,” Kalu said.
The committee chairman maintained that the investigation was neither politically motivated nor designed to victimise any public official, ministry or agency.
“This investigation is not a witch-hunt. It is a constitutional responsibility under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution. Our objective is to ensure financial accountability, value for money and the protection of Nigerian schoolchildren,” he stated.
Kalu acknowledged that many of the transactions under investigation occurred before Oyedele assumed office but stressed that public institutions remain accountable despite changes in leadership.
“We recognise that you were not the Minister of Finance when many of these transactions occurred. Nevertheless, government is a continuum, and institutions remain accountable,” he said.
He also commended Oyedele for consistently honouring invitations from the National Assembly, describing his conduct as a demonstration of respect for Parliament and the Nigerian people.
“Honourable Minister, permit me to commend you publicly. Every time the Senate invites you, you make yourself available. That demonstrates respect for Parliament and for the Nigerian people whom this institution represents,” Kalu said.
Because of the security implications of the issues being examined, the committee directed that detailed deliberations and the review of sensitive records should be conducted behind closed doors.
“We cannot discuss sensitive operational details in public because criminals are listening. Matters relating to the protection of our schools require confidentiality,” Kalu said before the meeting proceeded into executive session.
In his opening remarks, Oyedele assured the committee of the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency and cooperation with the National Assembly.
He described the protection of schools as a national priority, saying the safety of educational institutions was directly connected to Nigeria’s future.
“We appreciate the Senate’s interest in the safety of our schools because this is not only about protecting today’s students; it is about safeguarding the future of our country,” he said.
The minister attended the hearing with a delegation that included the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Salisu, senior officials responsible for the Safe Schools Initiative and his Chief of Staff.
Responding to questions, Oyedele disclosed that the Federal Government had identified weaknesses requiring urgent attention, particularly delays in releasing funds to agencies responsible for protecting schools.
He listed the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the State Security Service and other security institutions among the agencies whose operations could be affected when approved funds were not released promptly.
“We have identified areas requiring improvement, especially the prompt release of funds to agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the State Security Service and other institutions involved in protecting schools,” he said.
Oyedele assured the lawmakers that the Ministry of Finance was strengthening transparency and accountability measures to ensure that public resources allocated to the initiative were properly managed.
“We are fully committed to transparency. Where shortcomings exist, we will work with the National Assembly to correct them and strengthen our systems,” he said.
The minister also agreed with the committee’s position that accountability should not be avoided merely because the transactions under scrutiny predated the present leadership.
“Whether those issues occurred before my appointment or not is secondary. Government is a continuum. Once we accept public office, we also accept responsibility for the institutions we lead,” he stated.
Speaking with journalists after the closed-door session, Oyedele addressed reports that the Safe Schools Initiative had been transferred from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Education.
He said the public discussion should not focus on which ministry controlled the budget but on whether adequate resources were promptly released and effectively deployed to protect schools.
“The first point to emphasise is that keeping our schools safe is a shared responsibility. Whether it is the National Assembly, the Executive, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education or the state governments, everyone has a role to play,” he said.
Oyedele explained that the institutions involved in the initiative have distinct responsibilities, while the Ministry of Finance performs its statutory role as the custodian of government finances through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
“The real issue is not who controls the budget. Certain intervention funds and service-wide votes are, by law, administered by the Ministry of Finance because it serves as the financial manager of the Federal Government,” he said.
According to the minister, the priority should be to ensure that sufficient resources reach implementing agencies before attacks occur rather than releasing funds only after students and teachers have been abducted or killed.
“What matters most is ensuring that funding is adequate and released on time. Timely funding helps prevent attacks rather than forcing government into damage control after tragedies have occurred,” Oyedele said.
He, however, cautioned that funding alone could not completely eliminate insecurity, although adequate and timely intervention would significantly reduce risks and strengthen preventive measures.
“There is no guarantee that even unlimited resources would eradicate insecurity entirely. However, adequate funding and timely intervention can significantly reduce risks and strengthen preventive measures,” he stated.
Oyedele also appealed to Nigerians and the media to support security operations by avoiding narratives capable of amplifying the activities of terrorists and undermining public confidence in the country’s security institutions.
“Sometimes, we unintentionally amplify the activities of terrorists while questioning every effort made by security agencies. The narratives we promote can either strengthen or weaken the fight against insecurity,” he said.
Calling for national unity, the minister maintained that the responsibility for protecting schools extended beyond the Federal Government and security agencies.
“It is in our collective interest to come together as one people in confronting insecurity. Protecting our schools and securing the future of our children is a responsibility shared by every Nigerian,” he added.
The committee is expected to continue reviewing the financial documents, donor records and other evidence obtained during the closed-door session before submitting its findings and recommendations to the Senate.
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