Senate widens investigation into Safe Schools initiative to include TETFund, NELFUND, UBEC, and several other organizations

The Senate has broadened the scope of its Ad hoc Committee's investigation into the Safe Schools Initiative, granting it an additional three weeks to complete its task, and has also expanded its mandate to include several key agencies.

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These agencies include the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the Universal Basic Education Commission, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the National Social Investment Programme Agency.

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The decision to expand the investigation followed a motion presented by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, on Tuesday, under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026, as amended.

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Senator Kalu explained that preliminary findings showed that the implementation and funding of the Safe Schools Initiative intersect with the activities of several federal agencies responsible for education funding, student welfare, and social intervention programmes.

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According to Kalu, investigating the initiative without examining the roles of related agencies would not provide a comprehensive assessment of issues affecting school security and educational intervention programmes, as the issues surrounding student security, educational infrastructure funding, and social intervention schemes are deeply interwoven.

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Kalu emphasized that investigating the Safe Schools Initiative without reviewing these complementary bodies would result in fragmented legislative oversight, and that the expanded mandate would enable the committee to produce a more comprehensive report aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency, and effectiveness.

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The committee's new terms of reference include examining financial flows, operational challenges, and accountability mechanisms relating to the Safe Schools Initiative and the affected agencies, as well as reviewing intervention programmes linked to school feeding, emergency support for displaced students, and educational rehabilitation initiatives.

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The committee will also examine infrastructure and security intervention projects funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, assess the Nigerian Education Loan Fund's disbursement processes and operational framework, and review the Universal Basic Education Commission's interventions in basic education.

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Senator Kalu requested additional time for the committee to complete its task, citing an extensive schedule and other legislative responsibilities that had prevented the committee from completing visits to some critical locations.

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Kalu stated that the committee needed to conclude its work in the next two or three weeks and come back with a report, as there were four key areas that had not been completed.

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Following a voice vote, the Senate approved the committee's request and granted a three-week extension to complete its investigation.

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The Senate had constituted the committee in December 2025 to investigate the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative, following renewed concerns over attacks on schools and abductions of students.

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The Safe Schools Initiative was launched in 2014 after the abduction of schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, as a partnership involving the Federal Government, international development partners, and the private sector to strengthen security in schools, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

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The ongoing probe is examining the utilisation of funds allocated to the programme and the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving school safety across the country, with the expanded investigation expected to provide the Senate with a broader assessment of educational and humanitarian intervention programmes.