The National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, part of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has issued a stern warning to schools nationwide regarding the importance of adhering to safety guidelines.
Commander Hammed Abodunrin announced that schools failing to comply deliberately could face significant sanctions. In an interview on Wednesday, Abodunrin emphasized the critical nature of the Safe School policy, which aims to ensure security and prevent violence in educational institutions across the country.
“While the policy remains voluntary at this stage, the government is strongly advocating for compliance among school managements and communities,” Abodunrin stated.
He clarified that although the policy is not currently enforceable by law, the government expects schools to willingly adhere to the guidelines. “Everyone desires security, and we do not foresee widespread refusal to comply. However, should there be capacity gaps making compliance difficult, assistance will be provided to those schools,” he explained.
Despite its voluntary status, the NSCDC is taking a proactive stance. “Where failures are noted to be deliberate, the Safe School teams will report to the authorities for appropriate actions which may include sanctions,” Abodunrin warned.
The commander also discussed the government’s efforts to institutionalize school safety and security within higher education. He revealed plans to introduce specialized programs on school safety, potentially up to the doctoral level. “Higher institutions will be encouraged to run special programs in school safety, recognizing it as a critical field of study,” he said.
Abodunrin noted the growing importance of these issues, drawing parallels to fields like disaster management and peace and conflict studies, which have only recently been established as distinct academic disciplines. “The specific need to address school safety and security underscores its potential to be integrated either as a subject within the security studies curriculum or as an independent field,” he said.
