The Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative has praised the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, for his commitment to transparency, accountability, and parliamentary oversight during a review of the national school safety program.

Speaking during an interactive session to review appropriated funds, foreign donations, and international grants allocated to the initiative, committee chairman Senator Orji Uzor Kalu commended Alausa for consistently honoring legislative invitations and advancing structural reforms within the education sector. Kalu reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to supporting federal measures that protect students, teachers, and school infrastructure across the country.

Addressing the committee, Alausa clarified that the financial disbursements under review occurred prior to his tenure while the program’s financing unit was managed by the Federal Ministry of Finance. He noted that government remains a continuum and pledged full cooperation with the National Assembly.

Alausa also revealed that the Ministry of Education has now established a dedicated Safe Schools Department to provide centralized leadership across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, working alongside security agencies to implement comprehensive safety measures including perimeter fencing, solar lighting, early warning systems, and surveillance technology.