By Osaretin Osadebamwen
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called the mass closure of at least 65 schools across northern Nigeria a “national disgrace” and has demanded an immediate forensic investigation into the expenditure of billions of naira allocated to the Safe Schools Initiative. The rights group is pressing the Federal Government and the National Assembly for urgent accountability, questioning what it describes as a glaring disconnect between vast financial commitments and the worsening security situation in the region.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA highlighted that schools in 20 of Sokoto State’s 23 local government areas have been shut indefinitely. The group argues that more than a decade after the Safe Schools Initiative was launched in response to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers are still dictating where Nigerian children can and cannot receive an education.
“The contradiction is too enormous to ignore and too dangerous to explain away as merely a security challenge,” the statement read. HURIWA noted that the Federal Government’s National Plan on Financing Safe Schools for 2023–2026 projected a total of ₦144.86 billion for the programme. This figure comprises ₦32.58 billion in 2023, ₦36.98 billion in 2024, ₦37.15 billion in 2025, and ₦38.03 billion in 2026. Additionally, the group recalled reports that over $30 million had been mobilised for the initiative since its inception. Despite these outlays, the group argues that Nigerian children are increasingly being driven away from classrooms.
In response, HURIWA has issued a series of demands aimed at unraveling the flow of funds.
The organisation is calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a joint forensic investigation to trace every naira and dollar allocated, released, or donated to the programme.
The investigation, according to the group, must establish what was budgeted, who received the funds, what contracts were executed, what security infrastructure was delivered, and what became of outstanding allocations.
“Anyone found to have diverted, stolen, inflated contracts, abandoned projects or otherwise abused funds meant to protect Nigerian children must face prosecution,” the statement warned, adding that those responsible must not be allowed to hide behind government offices or political connections. HURIWA also challenged the National Assembly to summon relevant ministers, agencies, programme managers, and contractors for a public and transparent hearing into the initiative’s finances and performance.
Beyond financial accountability, the group warns of catastrophic social consequences stemming from the prolonged closures. It noted that the shut-downs create fertile ground for child labour, early marriage, trafficking, recruitment into criminal and extremist networks, and permanent educational exclusion. “Nigeria cannot claim to be fighting insecurity while allowing insecurity to destroy the country’s education system,” HURIWA asserted.
The rights group is therefore demanding an emergency national response involving the Federal Ministry of Education, the 36 State Ministries of Education, and the FCT education authorities.
This response must include credible security deployment, intelligence-led protection of vulnerable schools, safe transportation, emergency learning centres, protection for teachers, and independent monitoring of high-risk schools.
Crucially, HURIWA insisted that any funds recovered from corrupt officials or contractors must be ring-fenced exclusively for rebuilding and securing affected schools.
The organisation called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally order a comprehensive audit of the Safe Schools Initiative and to publish the findings. It concluded with a stark warning that Nigerian children must not become victims twice—first of terrorism and banditry, and then of corruption and official impunity.
“The money allocated to protect our children must protect our children, not the pockets of government officials, contractors or their political allies. Nigeria’s children have waited long enough. Their classrooms must be reopened. Their schools must be secured. Their future must not be stolen,” the statement concluded.
