By Dr. Juliana Philip Ndalnamu, PhD.
Across Nigeria today, countless parents wake up each morning with a quiet fear in their hearts. They prepare their children for school, pack their bags, and say a prayer, hoping, not just for learning and growth, but for safety. This simple act of sending a child to school has become a source of anxiety for many families due to the rising incidents of school abductions across different states.
For me, this issue is deeply personal. Although it is outside my usual niche of health, hospitality, and wellness, I cannot stay silent. The safety of our children is not just another national conversation — it is a moral burden, a development issue, and a defining moment for our future.
A nation cannot grow when its
classrooms are filled with fear.
A society cannot thrive when education becomes a risk.
Our children cannot dream when safety is uncertain.
This is why keeping schools safe must become a national responsibility we cannot ignore.
The Real Impact of Unsafe Schools
When schools become targets, the consequences extend far beyond the immediate pain it cause:
1. Education is disrupted
Parents withdraw their children from school. Some schools close for months. Learning comes to a halt.
2. Girls are affected the most
Fear of insecurity leads many families to keep their daughters at home, widening gender inequality in education.
3. Communities weaken
Teachers lose motivation. Parents relocate. Local economies suffer.
4. Trauma affects learning
Children who experience or witness insecurity struggle with fear, anxiety, concentration challenges, and emotional distress.
5. Nigeria loses its future workforce
Education is the backbone of national development; without it, progress stalls.
This is not just a school issue; it is a national development emergency.
Why Are Schools Still Vulnerable?
Several factors make Nigerian schools easy targets:
- Many lack perimeter fencing
- Remote locations with little or no security presence
- Poor lighting and weak infrastructure
- Limited emergency response systems
- Slow communication between communities and security agencies
- Poverty and unemployment in the surrounding communities
- Limited implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration
Each of these challenges forms a layer of vulnerability that must be addressed urgently.
Keeping Schools Safe: A Practical Roadmap Forward
Solving school insecurity requires collaboration — government, communities, schools, and citizens each have a role to play.
Here are practical, realistic steps Nigeria must adopt now:
1. Fully Implement the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD)
Nigeria endorsed the SSD years ago,
but implementation remains weak.
We need:
- Clear state-level action plans
- Monitoring of high-risk areas
- Budget allocations specifically for school safety
Paper policies must turn into real protection.
2. Strengthen School Infrastructure
Basic safety features can prevent attacks:
- Fencing and gated entry
- Solar-powered lighting
- Security guards trained specifically for school environments
- Functional communication tools (radios, phones)
- Emergency escape routes and drills
Safety cannot be optional.
3. Establish Community School Safety Committees
Communities know their environment best. They can:
- Monitor unusual activity
- Report suspicious movements
- Support school patrols
- Build trust between parents, schools, and local security
Local vigilance saves lives.
4. Use Technology to Improve Response Time
Simple solutions can make a huge difference:
- Panic buttons
- SMS emergency alerts to parents
- WhatsApp-based safety groups
- GPS tracking for school buses
Technology is now essential for modern safety.
5. Improve Coordination among Security Agencies
Police, Civil Defence, community
vigilantes, and school authorities must communicate better and respond faster.
A centralized school safety command system can help prevent delays.
6. Address Underlying Socioeconomic Issues
Real safety comes from stable
communities.
This means:
- Youth employment programs
- Skills acquisition centers
- Poverty reduction initiatives
- Community empowerment projects
When communities thrive, schools become safer.
7. Strengthen Counseling and Emotional Support
Children who have lived through
insecurity need healing.
Schools should have:
- Trained counselors
- Peer support programs
- Safe spaces
- Trauma-informed teaching strategies
A healthy mind is key to quality learning.
A Call to National Responsibility
The safety of Nigerian children is not the responsibility of the government alone; it is the responsibility of ALL OF US.
Parents
Educators
Security agencies
Communities
Policy makers
Civil society
Faith leaders
We each have a role to play.
Our silence cannot continue. Our indifference cannot persist.
Children are the carriers of tomorrow. Their dreams must not be stolen by fear.
In Conclusion
A safe school is not a privilege; it is a right.
A protected classroom is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
A secure child is not an option; it is the foundation of national development.
Nigeria must act, and act now.
Because keeping schools safe is not just another priority.
It is a national responsibility we cannot ignore.
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