SERAP Demands Probe Of Alleged Missing N145billion Safe Schools Funds, Threatens Tinubu Govt With Lawsuit
SERAP Demands Probe Of Alleged Missing N145billion Safe Schools Funds, Threatens Tinubu Govt With Lawsuit
SERAP further argued that the recurring attacks on schools have cast doubt on the effectiveness and transparency of the Safe Schools Initiative.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order an immediate investigation into allegations that funds allocated under Nigeria’s N145 billion Safe Schools Initiative may have been mismanaged, diverted, or are unaccounted for.
Warning that it will take legal action if authorities fail to act, SERAP, in a statement issued on Thursday, expressed concern over the continued wave of schoolchildren and teachers abductions across the country despite the billions of Naira reportedly earmarked to improve security in educational institutions.
“Over 600 pupils and teachers have reportedly been abducted in school-related attacks across Nigeria between March 2024 and May 2026, despite the Federal Government’s N145billion Safe Schools Initiative,” SERAP stated.
The group added, “We call on President Bola Ahmed 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 N145billion Safe Schools Initiative funds are missing, mismanaged, or diverted.
“Anyone found responsible should be brought to justice, and any missing funds fully recovered.”
SERAP’s demand followed the recent abduction of over 30 pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident the group said exposed the failure of the Nigerian authorities to adequately secure schools despite billions of naira reportedly allocated for that purpose.
“The recent abduction of dozens of students and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State demonstrates that Nigerian schools remain dangerously exposed to criminal attacks despite the billions of naira reportedly allocated to protect them,” the group said.
The group also urged both the Nigerian government and the Oyo State government to prioritise the rescue of the victims and ensure accountability for the attack.
“We also call on President Tinubu and Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, to urgently ensure the safe release and return of the abducted students and teachers,” SERAP said.
“The abductors must be arrested and brought to justice. Victims and their families must be provided with access to justice and effective remedies.”
SERAP further argued that the recurring attacks on schools have cast doubt on the effectiveness and transparency of the Safe Schools Initiative.
The group said, “Authorities must act urgently to ensure accountability and prevent further attacks on children and educators.
“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.”
The rights group warned that corruption linked to education security programmes could have devastating consequences for children, particularly those from disadvantaged communities.
“Corruption in education security puts lives at risk, undermines every child’s right to education, and disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable communities.”
SERAP also cited constitutional provisions and Nigeria’s international obligations, arguing that authorities have a legal duty to protect schoolchildren and educational institutions from violence and abductions.
The group said, “Nigerian authorities have constitutional and international legal obligations to protect children from abduction, violence, and other human rights abuses.
“The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] imposes a clear duty on Nigerian authorities to protect the lives, safety, and welfare of all persons.
“Section 14(2)(b) provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, while Section 33 guarantees the right to life and requires authorities to take reasonable measures to protect individuals from threats to their lives and security.
“The Nigerian Constitution also guarantees the dignity of the human person under Section 34 and obliges governments at all levels to direct their policies toward ensuring adequate educational opportunities.
“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.”
SERAP threatened legal action should the government fail to implement its recommendations, saying, “We will see Nigerian authorities in court if the recommended measures are not immediately implemented.”
