The Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening security around schools across the country to guarantee a safe and supportive environment for learning.
Musa gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving an award from the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) in recognition of his contributions to school safety and the promotion of the Safe Schools Initiative.
According to the minister, the government will continue to collaborate with parents, teachers and other stakeholders to protect students, stressing that quality education cannot be achieved in the absence of adequate security.
He noted that a secure learning environment was fundamental to academic growth, adding that collective effort was required to ensure children were able to realise their full potential.
The minister said the recognition would further motivate him to pursue policies and initiatives aimed at improving teaching and learning standards, providing a safe and inclusive atmosphere in schools, empowering teachers through training and resources, and strengthening cooperation among schools, parents and host communities.
Musa also described parents and teachers as indispensable partners in nation-building, emphasising that sound education and discipline were key to raising responsible citizens and reducing social instability.
Earlier, NAPTAN President, Haruna Danjuma, said the minister’s appointment reflected his long-standing commitment to national security, particularly his role in initiating the Safe Schools Programme during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff.
Danjuma said the initiative had helped restore confidence among parents and boosted school attendance despite ongoing security challenges, including threats of attacks and kidnappings targeting educational institutions.
He added that parents across the country had benefited from enhanced security measures around vulnerable schools, explaining that the award was intended to encourage the minister to sustain and expand the programme.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwa, also praised the minister’s leadership, describing the honour as recognition of his dedication to safeguarding both national security and the future of Nigerian children.
Pheelangwa said the ministry would continue to work closely with education stakeholders to ensure that progress in security matched advancements in education.
Concerns over school safety have grown in recent years following repeated attacks and kidnappings of students and teachers by bandits and other criminal groups in parts of the country.
These incidents have disrupted academic activities and heightened anxiety among parents and stakeholders in the education sector.
