Senate Investigates Safe Schools Initiative Fund Management

On Friday, the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Safe Schools Initiative, led by Chairman Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, initiated an investigation into the management of funds allocated to the Safe Schools Initiative, which includes foreign grants and budgetary appropriations. At the National Assembly in Abuja, Senator Kalu welcomed Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa and his delegation, emphasizing that the probe aims to ensure accountability and is not directed at any individual.

Kalu highlighted the importance of school safety as a matter of national security, stating that sensitive discussions would be held in closed sessions to protect operational details from potential criminals. Dr. Alausa acknowledged the committee's efforts and noted that significant disbursements under scrutiny occurred five to seven years ago, prior to his tenure.

He confirmed that the Safe Schools Initiative has been transferred from the Federal Ministry of Finance to the Federal Ministry of Education, establishing a new Safe Schools Department for better coordination. Committee members supported the executive session, reinforcing the probe's purpose as a constitutional duty.