The Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative and Safe Schools Financing has launched an expanded probe into the administration of billions of naira in federal appropriations and international donor grants, declaring that every single kobo disbursed to protect schools must be accounted for.
Speaking during an investigative hearing at the National Assembly in Abuja on Friday, July 31, 2026, Committee Chairman Senator Orji Uzor Kalu emphasized that public officials and implementing institutions bear full financial responsibility for public and donor funds, regardless of leadership changes.
Key Highlights of the Senate Hearing
-
Expanded Probe Mandate: Originally set up to inspect execution frameworks, preliminary findings prompted the Senate to expand its inquiry to scrutinize financial flows, donor contributions, consultancy costs, and operational bottlenecks across all connected Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
-
“Government is a Continuum”: Senator Orji Uzor Kalu declared that past disbursements—even those dating back five to seven years—must be fully reconciled by current heads of ministries, emphasizing that public office comes with structural accountability.
-
Major Policy Shift Revealed: Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa appeared before the panel and disclosed that the operational and financial command of the Safe Schools Initiative has officially been transferred from the Federal Ministry of Finance to a newly created Safe Schools Department within the Federal Ministry of Education.
-
Financial Oversight & Closed-Door Sessions: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele also met with the panel to present disbursement records. Due to the national security implications of anti-banditry and school protection operations, sensitive operational discussions were held behind closed doors.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SAFE SCHOOLS FUNDS INVESTIGATION MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Lead Senate Body : Ad-hoc Committee on Safe Schools Initiative │
│ (Chaired by Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu) │
│ │
│ • Key Officials : Dr. Tunji Alausa (Minister of Education) │
│ Taiwo Oyedele (Minister of Finance) │
│ │
│ • Key Policy Change : Safe Schools Secretariat moved from Finance to │
│ the Federal Ministry of Education. │
│ │
│ • Oversight Scope : Direct federal releases, foreign donor grants, │
│ consultancy fees, and security agency funding. │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
(Sources: National Assembly Senate Ad-hoc Committee & Ministry Briefings)
“Public Officials Must Account to the Nigerian People”
Underlining the legislature’s stance on fiscal discipline, Senator Kalu and Minister Alausa affirmed that safeguarding children requires absolute integrity:
“We are not here for a witch-hunt… Government is a continuum. Whether these funds were released before the present minister assumed office or not, government remains responsible for accounting for every kobo entrusted to it.” — Senator Orji Uzor Kalu
“Significant international grants and donor funds were provided to Nigeria to improve the safety of our schools… Even though I was not the Minister when most of these disbursements were made, I have a responsibility to appear because public officials must account to the Nigerian people.” — Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education
The committee has directed all participating MDAs and security agencies to submit reconciled accounts and supporting documentation ahead of the next session.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
