Achievements And Challenges Of The Safe School Initiative (SSL) Of The Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), 2014-2025
Grace Abosede Olaina, Anna Yunana Akinga, Hussaini Jibrin
Keywords: Nigeria security, civil defence, safe school, initiative, implementation
Abstract
The paper examines the role of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the implementation of the Safe School Initiative in Nigeria between 2014 and 2025. The Safe School Initiative was introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria in response to increasing attacks on schools, particularly following the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014 by Boko Haram. Despite government interventions, schools across several parts of Nigeria continue to face threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, vandalism and communal violence, undermining access to education and national development. The paper, therefore, examines the contributions of the NSCDC toward school protection, the challenges affecting effective implementation of the initiative, and strategies for improving school security in Nigeria. The paper relied on both primary and secondary sources of data, utilizing interviews and documents such as government publications, journal articles, policy documents, newspapers, and reports from international organizations. The paper was anchored on Human Security Theory, which emphasizes the protection of individuals and communities from threats to their survival and well-being. Findings
revealed that the NSCDC has contributed significantly to the
implementation of the Safe School Initiative through school surveillance,
deployment of security personnel, intelligence gathering, community
sensitization, protection of educational infrastructure, and collaboration with other security agencies. The paper recommends, among other things,
improved intelligence sharing and stronger collaboration among Nigerian
security agencies to ensure the sustainability of the Safe School Initiative in Nigeria.
Author Biography
Grace Abosede Olaina, Anna Yunana Akinga, Hussaini Jibrin
Department of History and War Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]