By Brown Pigeon Media
The Nigerian Senate has expanded the scope of its ongoing investigation into the Safe Schools Initiative, bringing several key education and social intervention agencies under scrutiny in a move aimed at strengthening accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
During Tuesday’s plenary, the Red Chamber resolved to widen the investigation to include the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). The Senate also extended the lifespan of its Ad hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative by an additional three weeks.
The decision followed a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Ad hoc Committee, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), who argued that a broader investigation was necessary to provide a comprehensive assessment of education funding, school security, and student welfare programmes across the country.
According to Senator Kalu, preliminary findings revealed significant connections between the Safe Schools Initiative and the activities of agencies responsible for education funding, humanitarian interventions, student loans, and social investment programmes.
He noted that restricting the investigation to the Safe Schools Initiative alone would undermine the Senate’s oversight responsibility and leave critical issues affecting student safety and educational development unaddressed.
Under the expanded terms of reference, the committee will examine the funding, implementation, and accountability mechanisms of the affected agencies. It will also review the management of school feeding programmes, emergency support for displaced students, educational rehabilitation projects, and infrastructure and security interventions funded by TETFund in tertiary institutions.
In addition, the committee will assess NELFUND’s loan disbursement process, operational efficiency, and students’ access to education loans, while evaluating UBEC’s interventions in strengthening basic education across the country.
Explaining the request for additional time, Senator Kalu said the committee had yet to conclude investigations in four critical areas due to the volume of work and other legislative commitments. He assured lawmakers that the committee would complete its assignment within the next two to three weeks before presenting its final report.
The Senate expects the expanded investigation to provide a comprehensive review of how education, security, and humanitarian intervention funds are utilised, with recommendations aimed at improving transparency, strengthening accountability, and ensuring that government interventions effectively enhance the safety, welfare, and educational opportunities of Nigerian students.
Brown Pigeon Media will continue to monitor the investigation and provide timely updates as the Senate committee progresses with its assignment.