Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Education
 The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding education across the country, emphasizing that education should be seen as an investment rather than an expenditure. This was reaffirmed by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, during a meeting with Michela Ranieri, a Global Consultant for the Safe Schools Implementation Network, at her office in Abuja.
Dr. Uzoka-Anite highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in promoting safe learning environments, stating that the country’s National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre is the first of its kind globally. She noted that since 2017, the government has prioritized sustainable financing mechanisms to ensure the protection of students and educational institutions nationwide.
“Education is an investment, not an expenditure. This has always been my firm belief as we work to secure the future of Nigeria’s children,” she said.
The Minister revealed that Nigeria now stands alongside Spain, Argentina, and Norway as a core planning country for the Safe Schools Declaration. She added that the country will showcase its achievements at the Declaration’s 10th anniversary in May.
Ranieri, representing the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), commended Nigeria’s innovative approach, stating that the country’s implementation model is yielding positive results that could serve as a reference for other nations.
The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mr. Raymond Omenka Omachi, assured that the Ministry of Finance will continue to provide an enabling environment to support the Federal Government’s policies on education security.
The Safe Schools Initiative remains a top priority for the Nigerian government, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring a secure and supportive learning environment for all students nationwide.
