Chibok Girls
Since 2009, more than 1,400 schools have been destroyed and 2,295 teachers have been killed in Nigeria, according to Professor Ahmed Salisu Garba, the acting vice chancellor of Al-Muhibbah Open University, Abuja.
Professor Garba shared these alarming statistics during a presentation on the urgent need for a legal framework to ensure school safety in Bauchi State and across Nigeria.
Speaking at a Public Hearing on the Bauchi State Schools Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Bill 2024, held at the American Space in Bauchi State Library, Garba highlighted the severity of the threats facing Nigerian schools. The hearing was organized by the Women Advocates Research and Development Centre (WARDC) and the Syndicate in Supporting Women and Children Initiative (SISWACHI).
“The threat to Nigeria’s schools is not theoretical, it is a harsh and present reality,” Garba stated. He recalled the tragic events in 2014 when over 276 girls were kidnapped from Chibok, with only a fraction of them ever reuniting with their families. Similarly, in 2018, at least 110 girls were abducted from Dapchi, and some of them remain unaccounted for to this day. He also mentioned the 2020 kidnapping of over 300 boys from Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State.
These attacks have had devastating consequences, leading to the closure of hundreds of schools and leaving over 10 million children out of school, particularly in Northern Nigeria. “The ripple effects are devastating—communities are destabilized, families are torn apart, and the future of a generation is at risk,” Garba warned.
Garba emphasized that without urgent and decisive action, the long-term consequences could be catastrophic for Nigeria’s social and economic development. To address these challenges, he advocated for the implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration, a legal framework that Nigeria has already endorsed. This framework is designed to ensure that commitments to school safety are not just political statements but are enshrined in law, with clear responsibilities, roles, and penalties for non-compliance.
“A legal framework provides uniformity in the implementation of safety measures across all schools in Bauchi State,” Garba explained. “It ensures that every student, regardless of location, has access to the same level of protection.” He added that the proposed School Security Fund within the Bill would guarantee dedicated resources for implementing safety measures, including funding for infrastructure improvements, security personnel, and emergency preparedness.
The Bill also outlines mechanisms for monitoring, reporting, and auditing school safety practices, holding all stakeholders—government, school administrators, and communities—accountable for maintaining safe learning environments. “The time for action is now,” Garba urged. “The Bauchi State Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Bill 2024 offers us a unique opportunity to turn our commitments into concrete actions.”
Professor Garba called on stakeholders in Bauchi State to support the Bill and take the first step toward a safer, more secure future for Nigeria’s schools and future generations. “We cannot afford to wait. The cost of inaction is too high—the loss of lives, the destruction of futures, the erosion of trust in our educational institutions,” he said. “By passing this Bill, we send a powerful message: that we will not allow violence and fear to dictate the future of our children. We are committed to creating a safe and secure environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.”