By Lukman Olabiyi
Stakeholders across various sectors have called for the establishment of a legal framework and a well-funded resource plan to guarantee the safety of schools in Lagos .
The demand was made during a public hearing organized by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Nigeria Chapter, Replington Education Initiative (REI), Syndicate in Supporting Women and Children Initiative, and other partners.
The initiative is supported by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).
Participants at the forum, including community leaders, education experts, policymakers, security agencies, government representatives, and civil society organizations.
They emphasized the urgent need for practical solutions to the growing insecurity in Nigerian schools, despite the country’s endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) in 2015 and its ratification in 2019.
Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, founding director of WARDC, stressed the importance of moving beyond policy statements to actual implementation that ensures the protection of children and education infrastructure.
“This forum is a critical step towards ensuring accountability and safety in our schools. We must develop and enforce laws that secure learning environments,” Akiyode-Afolabi said.
The hearing is part of a national advocacy project promoting the implementation of the SSD, focusing on Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, and Bauchi State.
The project seeks to strengthen the role of civil society, push for enforceable legislation, and advocate for state-level implementation plans that are adequately funded.
Participants reviewed the current state of school safety, identified gaps in policy and infrastructure, and proposed practical, innovative solutions. The event also provided a platform for citizens to voice their concerns and offer recommendations toward a comprehensive legal and financial strategy for safeguarding schools in Nigeria.