Professor Kehinde Olayode of Obafemi Awolowo University has called for urgent and comprehensive actions to enhance safety in Nigerian schools, stating the need for a secure learning environment to foster national development.
In a recent interview in Lagos, Prof. Olayode highlighted the importance of implementing the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD), which Nigeria endorsed in 2015.
He advocated for the establishment of a national fund dedicated to supporting the implementation of safe school measures, including infrastructure development, training security personnel, and providing psychological support to students and staff affected by violence.
He also spoke on the necessity of community involvement, urging contributions from philanthropists and support from non-state actors such as the media to mobilise the necessary resources for school safety.
Prof. Olayode noted that school safety and security require the support of existing socio-political structures in communities for legitimacy and sustainability.
Furthermore, he noted that the Safe School Initiative aligns with the global commitment to providing safe learning environments, emphasising that it is essential for Nigeria and the world at large.
Nigeria ratified the SSD in 2019 and approved the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools in August 2021 to protect learners, teachers, and educational facilities from attacks.
