The Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) has called for stronger accountability and effective implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative in Nigeria, following a renewed wave of school abductions in parts of the country.
The organisation expressed concern that despite repeated government commitments and policy frameworks aimed at protecting learners, attacks on schools and students continue to rise, exposing gaps in security coordination and implementation.
WELA urged relevant authorities to review the structure and funding of the Safe Schools Initiative, insisting that clear accountability mechanisms are needed to ensure that allocated resources are properly utilized for school protection.
The group noted that schools in vulnerable communities remain poorly secured, with inadequate infrastructure, limited early warning systems and weak coordination between education authorities and security agencies.
It stressed that the safety of students and teachers must be treated as a national priority, warning that continued attacks on learning institutions could worsen Nigeria’s education crisis and increase the number of out-of-school children.
WELA further called for increased community involvement, improved intelligence sharing and stronger collaboration between government institutions and development partners to strengthen school security across the country.
The organisation also advocated for psychosocial support and rehabilitation services for victims of school attacks, emphasizing the need for a holistic response to the crisis.
It reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for policies that protect the rights of women and children, particularly in conflict-affected and high-risk communities.
Stakeholders have continued to urge the government to strengthen school security architecture amid growing concerns over the safety of learners nationwide.