The Federal Government has announced plans to enhance security in schools located in border and riverine communities through the Safe Schools Transition Plan for 2026–2030, aimed at creating safer learning environments across the country.

The strategy, recently approved by the government, is designed to deepen collaboration among security agencies, state governments, and local communities, while also expanding psychosocial support and emergency preparedness for students and teachers.

A senior official involved in the project stated that the plan will prioritize vulnerable areas, ensuring security training and infrastructure reach border and riverine locations. “For the new transition plan 2026–2030, we will focus on border and riverine communities to ensure training reaches these areas. This is to guarantee that the security architecture is fully implemented,” the official said. Another staff member added, “Yes, it is true. We aim to build the security resilience of the entire host communities.”

The Safe Schools Project was launched in 2014 following the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State. The initiative was introduced by the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, in partnership with the Nigerian Global Business Coalition for Education and private-sector stakeholders. It is coordinated alongside the Office of the National Security Adviser and seeks to create a secure and enabling environment for living, teaching, and learning.

In December 2022, the Federal Government launched the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools for 2023–2026, proposing an investment of N144.8 billion. Key measures included the establishment of the School Protection Squad, deployment of command and control officers nationwide, and creation of the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre to ensure swift response to attacks. Safe Schools Coordinators and Desk Officers were also appointed across all 36 states and 774 local government areas.

Despite these efforts, attacks on schools remain a significant concern. In December 2025, the Senate launched an investigation into the Safe Schools Project, citing ongoing vulnerabilities to raids, mass kidnappings, and deadly attacks.

Data from the National Safe Schools Response and Coordination Centre shows a sharp increase in school registrations under the programme, rising from 11,550 in November 2025 to 14,685 by December. This surge followed attacks such as the November 17, 2025 assault on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, where 24 students were abducted and the vice-principal killed, and the attack on St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, four days later, in which 303 students and 12 teachers were abducted.

Officials have noted that most states are yet to fully implement the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Project, emphasizing the need for continued commitment to protecting students and educators nationwide.