The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Safe School Declaration Bill, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the rights of students to learn in secure and violence-free environments.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, OFR, made the appeal during a one-day sensitisation and awareness programme on the Safe School Declaration (SSD) held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He was represented at the event by the Director of Legal Services and Enforcement, Rabi Anwar.
Ojukwu stressed that schools must remain sanctuaries for learning where teachers, students and educational infrastructure are protected from attacks and other threats. He described the proposed legislation as central to guaranteeing the safety of both educators and learners, particularly during periods of crisis or heightened security risks.
According to him, the Bill provides for the establishment of a Safe School Security Fund to be jointly managed by the Federal Ministries of Education and Finance. The fund, he explained, would support safety infrastructure and coordinated response mechanisms aimed at protecting schools nationwide.
He noted that the sensitisation programme was designed to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the Safe School Declaration and its guiding principles, strengthen capacity on school safety responsibilities, and promote practical strategies to prevent attacks on educational institutions.
In her presentation, Aboila Sanusi, Country Lead of EdTech Hub, outlined a comprehensive approach to addressing violence against children. She observed that children face risks not only within school premises but also at home and during their commute to school.
Citing data from northern Nigeria, Sanusi stated that approximately 51.9 per cent of adolescent learners have experienced at least one form of bullying, while 27.9 per cent reported being bullied. She noted that exposure to violence significantly affects children’s emotional and psychological well-being.
She also highlighted the impact of natural hazards such as recurrent flooding, which leads to prolonged school closures in several parts of the country. According to her, many affected children lose substantial learning time, with some never returning to school.
Sanusi further identified inadequate sanitation facilities, limited access to water and hygiene services, and weak infrastructure as persistent challenges that heighten schools’ vulnerability to both conflict and natural disasters.
She added that free school meal programmes have demonstrated measurable benefits, reporting that between 2017 and 2019, such initiatives contributed to a 21 per cent increase in school attendance while also improving children’s nutritional outcomes.
The event concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to advancing the Safe School Declaration Bill and ensuring that schools across Nigeria remain secure spaces dedicated to learning and development.
