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From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
The Senate Ad-hoc Committee investigating the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) intensified its inquiry on Tuesday into alleged financial irregularities, questionable consultancy spending, and the use of funds released to implementing agencies – particularly the Nigerian Police Force, which received the single largest allocation of ₦6.225 billion from the ₦15 billion disbursed in 2023.
The committee, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, examined the National Coordinator, Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria, Hajia Halima Iliya, on fund inflow, spending patterns, and the current status of the multi-agency security programme designed to safeguard schools from terrorist attacks and mass abductions.
Hajia Iliya traced the programme’s origins to the 2014 abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls, when former President Goodluck Jonathan, with international partners, launched the Safe Schools Initiative.
She listed main contributions to the CBN-held Trust Fund:
Federal Government: $10m (₦1.5bn)
Nigerian business leaders: $10m (₦2bn)
ADB: $1m (≈₦200m)
German Government: €2m (≈₦1bn)
Norwegian Government: $4m (managed by UNICEF)
UN Multi-Donor Trust Fund: Contributions from UNICEF, UNDP, UNOPS
USAID & Qatar Foundation: $4m combined
She also described the historic structure involving a Steering Committee co-chaired by the SGF and the UN Special Envoy on Education, with governors of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe; key ministries; NEMA; the NE Development Commission; and business leaders such as Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola.
Federal release of ₦15bn in 2023: Breakdown
Nigerian Police Force – ₦6.225bn
NSCDC – ₦3.362bn
DSS – Amount not publicly stated during session
Defence Headquarters – ₦2.250bn
Federal Ministry of Education – ₦519m
Iliya stated that Safe Schools financing had no allocation in 2024 or 2025, explaining that her request for 2024 inclusion arrived too late for approval by the President.
Tension rises over consultancy costs
The sharpest confrontation arose when Senator Oluranti Idiat raised concerns that nearly half of the ₦4.44bn previously examined in related documents had been spent on consultancy and operational costs, almost equal to actual Safe Schools projects.
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“You have used almost half of 4.44 billion for consultancy and operational expenses, and spent about 4 billion on the project itself. Don’t you think that is why you are not getting another budget?” Senator Idiat asked.
Hajia Iliya responded that the referenced documents related to 2014, not 2023:
“This document I presented is out of respect for this committee. The document you are reading is for 2014, not 2023. The Safe Schools programme was launched in 2023 when the 15bn was released.”
Senator Idiat replied:
“You’re not doing us a favour. Please withdraw that statement.”
Senator Musa Maidoki raised a policy issue:
“We already have a budget for the Army, Police and others. Why give them another budget? If you have this money, release it only when they perform. Safe School funding must be domiciled in the community and not put where it is not needed.”
‘Funds have been misappropriated’ – Senator Kenneth Eze raises alarm
Senator Kenneth Eze questioned the clarity of the financial submissions:
“Funds have been misappropriated and we need to know. Anyone can draft this. The calculation of expenses raises serious concern especially the amount spent on consultancy.”
Chairman Kalu orders reconciliation of all financial records
Committee Chairman Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ordered the Safe Schools Financing office to return with a full and rectified breakdown of:
All funds released
All expenditures made
Names and details of contractors receiving funds
Complete documentation from the CBN Trust Fund account
He emphasised that the committee would not proceed without clear, verifiable financial records.
