The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an immediate investigation into allegations that Safe Schools funds amounting to ₦145 billion may have been diverted, mismanaged or remain unaccounted for despite continued attacks on schools across Nigeria.
The rights organisation made the demand on Thursday amid growing concerns over the security of educational institutions following a series of abductions involving pupils and teachers in different parts of the country.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside relevant anti-corruption agencies, to investigate the utilisation of the funds allocated to the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative.
According to the organisation, reports indicate that more than 600 pupils and teachers were abducted in school-related attacks between March 2024 and May 2026 despite the implementation of the programme designed to improve school security nationwide.
“We call on President Bola 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 ₦145 billion Safe Schools Initiative funds are missing, mismanaged, or diverted,” the statement said.
“Anyone found responsible should be brought to justice, and any missing funds fully recovered.”
SERAP linked its concerns to the recent abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, arguing that the incident highlighted the continued vulnerability of schools despite substantial public spending on security measures. The organisation said the attacks have raised serious questions about the effectiveness and management of the programme and whether the Safe Schools funds have been properly deployed to protect students and educational personnel.
SERAP also called on both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted victims, arrest those responsible and ensure that affected families receive justice. According to the group, the reported incidents have exposed concerns regarding transparency, accountability and the overall impact of the Safe Schools Initiative.
“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 organisation stated.
SERAP argued that corruption affecting educational security programmes directly threatens children’s access to education and places vulnerable communities at greater risk. “Corruption in education security puts lives at risk, undermines every child’s right to education, and disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable communities,” it added.
The organisation further reminded government authorities of their constitutional responsibilities to safeguard citizens, particularly children and teachers in educational institutions. It cited Sections 14, 33 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee the security and welfare of citizens, protect the right to life and dignity, and require governments to provide adequate educational opportunities.
According to SERAP, these constitutional obligations require authorities to take practical steps to protect schools from violence, kidnapping and other threats that undermine learning and human rights. The group maintained that accountability over the Safe Schools funds is essential to restoring public confidence in school protection programmes and ensuring that resources reach their intended purpose.
SERAP also warned that it may seek judicial intervention if government authorities fail to act on its recommendations. “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.
“We’ll see Nigerian authorities in court if the recommended measures are not immediately implemented.” The demand places renewed attention on the management of the Safe Schools funds and the broader challenge of protecting educational institutions amid persistent security threats across the country.
