Professor Kehinde Olayode of Obafemi Awolowo University has emphasized the critical role of schools in national development, calling for safer learning environments to protect students and promote inclusive education across Nigeria.
Speaking at a high-level media roundtable in Lagos on the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) and the need for a national financing plan, Prof. Olayode highlighted the urgent need to safeguard educational spaces, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the girl-child. He pointed out that insecurity and violence have discouraged parents from sending their daughters to school, especially in underserved communities.
He stressed that a comprehensive school safety plan is essential to protect students, staff, infrastructure, and communities from both human-induced and natural threats. Referencing global efforts, he recalled that the Safe Schools Declaration was launched in May 2015 during an international conference in Oslo, Norway, and Nigeria was among the first countries to endorse it.
Prof. Olayode further explained that in September 2021, Nigeria merged two existing frameworks—the National Policy on Safety and Security in Schools and the National Policy on Violence-Free Schools—into a single document: the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools (NPSSVFS), which now guides safe school initiatives nationwide.
On funding the SSD, he underscored the need for accurate cost estimation and multi-stakeholder engagement to ensure efficient resource allocation and accountability. According to him, successful implementation of SSD programs requires innovative fundraising and resource mobilization strategies, including tapping into local community assets and partnerships with traditional leaders, security agencies, and civil society groups.
He also emphasized the critical role of the media in driving awareness, promoting public engagement, and advocating for government commitment to safe school financing. Media collaboration, he noted, is vital in sustaining momentum around the Safe Schools Declaration and ensuring long-term community involvement and political support.
