FG Seeks Extra N5bn For Safe Schools As Senate Probes N144bn Fund

The Federal Government is proposing an additional N5bn for the Safe Schools Initiative in the 2026 budget as the National Assembly continues to question how earlier school security funds were used.

Punch reported that the proposed allocation appears under Capital Supplementation in the House of Representatives Order Paper of March 31, 2026.

The proposal comes at a difficult time for the programme. Lawmakers have intensified scrutiny of the Safe Schools Initiative after repeated attacks and abductions involving schoolchildren.

Vanguard reported that the Senate began probing the alleged failure of a $30m fund, estimated at about N144bn, after renewed concerns over attacks on schools.

The Senate ad hoc committee is chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. According to Vanguard, the committee was asked to examine what was received, how the funds were spent, who received allocations and whether the money was used for its intended purpose.

The report said the committee summoned officials and agencies connected to the programme, including finance, education, defence, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, state governors, civil society groups and school proprietors.

Particular attention was paid to N15bn released by the Federal Government in 2023. Vanguard reported that the Nigeria Police received the largest share, put at N6.225bn.

The Safe Schools Initiative began after the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction. More than a decade later, the programme is again under pressure as fresh kidnappings keep school security in public debate.

The extra N5bn request may therefore face questions beyond the size of the allocation. Lawmakers are likely to ask what changed, what earlier spending achieved and how new money would protect children in high-risk areas.

Sources: Punch; Vanguard.