Over 1,400 schools have been destroyed and more than 2,295 teachers killed across Nigeria, a chilling testament to the ongoing crisis in the nation’s education sector.
This stark revelation was made by Professor Ahmed Salisu Garba, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Al-Muhibbah Open University, Abuja, during a public hearing on the Bauchi State Schools Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Bill, 2024, held at the American Space, Bauchi State Library.
In his presentation titled “Justifying the Need for a Legal Framework on School Safety in Bauchi State and Nigeria at Large,” Professor Garba underscored the urgent need for legislative action to protect Nigeria’s educational institutions from further attacks.
“The threat to Nigeria’s schools is not theoretical,” Garba said, “it is a harsh and present reality.”
Citing past incidents, Garba highlighted the abduction of over 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in 2014, of whom only a fraction have been reunited with their families. Similarly, in 2018, 110 girls were abducted from Dapchi, with several still missing.
The list of tragedies includes the December 2020 kidnapping of over 300 boys from Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State.
These incidents, he noted, are just a few examples of the broader, ongoing assault on education in Nigeria.
The consequences of these attacks are far-reaching, as the destruction of schools and the loss of educators have forced the closure of hundreds of institutions, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
“Over 10 million children are now out of school,” Garba lamented, adding that “the ripple effects are devastating—communities are destabilized, families are torn apart, and the future of a generation is at risk.”
Professor Garba warned that without urgent and decisive action, the long-term consequences could be catastrophic for Nigeria’s social and economic development.
“The cost of inaction is too high,” he emphasized, pointing to the potential loss of lives, destruction of futures, and erosion of trust in the nation’s educational institutions.
In response to this crisis, Garba advocated for the implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration, a legal framework that Nigeria has already endorsed.
This framework is designed to ensure that safety commitments are not merely political statements but are enshrined in law, with clear responsibilities, roles, and penalties for non-compliance.
“A legal framework provides uniformity in the implementation of safety measures across all schools in Bauchi State,” Garba explained.
“It ensures that every student, regardless of location, has access to the same level of protection.”
He further noted that the establishment of a School Security Fund within the proposed Bill would guarantee dedicated resources for safety measures, including infrastructure improvements, security personnel, and emergency preparedness.
The Bill also outlines mechanisms for monitoring, reporting, and auditing school safety practices, holding all stakeholders—government, school administrators, and communities—accountable for maintaining secure learning environments.
Professor Garba urged the Bauchi State House of Assembly and all stakeholders to rise to the challenge with courage and resolve.
“The Bauchi State Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Bill 2024 offers us a unique opportunity to turn our commitments into concrete actions,” he stated.
“By passing this Bill, we send a powerful message: that we will not allow violence and fear to dictate the future of our children. We are committed to creating a safe and secure environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.”
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
