The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation into allegations that funds allocated to the Federal Government’s N145 billion Safe Schools Initiative may have been diverted, mismanaged or are unaccounted for.
The organisation made the call on Thursday, citing reports that more than 600 pupils and teachers were abducted in school-related attacks across Nigeria between March 2024 and May 2026 despite the implementation of the programme.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as well as relevant anti-corruption agencies, to investigate the utilisation of the funds.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu to urgently direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations that the ₦145 billion Safe Schools Initiative funds are missing, mismanaged, or diverted,” the statement partly reads.
“Anyone found responsible should be brought to justice, and any missing funds fully recovered.”
SERAP said the recent abduction of dozens of students and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State highlighted the vulnerability of schools despite billions of naira reportedly allocated for their protection.
The organisation also urged the federal government and the Oyo State Government to ensure the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers, arrest those responsible and provide victims and their families with access to justice.
According to SERAP, the reported abductions raise concerns about the effectiveness, transparency and accountability of the Safe Schools Initiative.
“The reported abductions raise serious questions about the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of the Safe Schools Initiative. Allegations that funds intended to protect Nigerian children may have been mismanaged must be urgently, thoroughly, independently and effectively investigated and the findings of any investigation should be widely published.”
“Corruption in education security puts lives at risk, undermines every child’s right to education, and disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable communities.”
The rights group further noted that Nigerian authorities have constitutional and international obligations to protect children from abduction, violence and other human rights violations.
It cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including Sections 14, 33 and 34, which guarantee the security, welfare, life and dignity of citizens and require governments to provide adequate educational opportunities.
SERAP warned that it could institute legal action if the recommended measures are not implemented.
“These provisions require authorities to take effective steps to protect students, teachers, and educational institutions from violence, abductions, and other threats that undermine access to education and the enjoyment of fundamental rights.
“We’ll see Nigerian authorities in court if the recommended measures are not immediately implemented.”
