The Senate has raised serious concerns over the utilisation of funds released to agencies implementing the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI), particularly the Nigerian Police Force, which received the largest single allocation of ₦6.225 billion from the ₦15 billion disbursed in 2023.
The concerns were disclosed by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC,
Abia North), chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee investigating the
implementation of the programme, following the committee’s grilling of the
National Coordinator, Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria, Hajia Halima Iliya.
The committee queried reports of financial irregularities
and questionable consultancy spending in the multi-agency security programme
designed to protect schools from terrorist attacks and mass abductions.
Kalu ordered a full reconciliation of all financial records
and directed the Safe Schools Financing Office to return with a comprehensive
and rectified breakdown of all funds released, expenditures made, names and
details of contractors, and complete documentation from the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) Trust Fund account. He stressed that the committee would not
proceed without clear and verifiable records.
Speaking before the committee, Hajia Iliya traced the
origins of the Safe Schools Initiative to the 2014 abduction of 276 Chibok
schoolgirls, which led to the launch of the programme under former President
Goodluck Jonathan in collaboration with international partners.
She listed major contributions to the CBN-domiciled Trust
Fund as follows: Federal Government — $10 million (₦1.5 billion); Nigerian
business leaders — $10 million (₦2 billion); African Development Bank — $1
million (about ₦200 million); German Government — €2 million (about ₦1
billion); Norwegian Government — $4 million (managed by UNICEF); UN Multi-Donor
Trust Fund with contributions from UNICEF, UNDP and UNOPS; and a combined $4
million from USAID and the Qatar Foundation.
On the 2023 federal release of ₦15 billion, Iliya confirmed
the allocations: Nigerian Police Force — ₦6.225 billion; Nigeria Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) — ₦3.362 billion; Defence Headquarters — ₦2.250
billion; Federal Ministry of Education — ₦519 million; while the exact amount
for the Department of State Services (DSS) was not publicly disclosed during
the session.
She also revealed that the Safe Schools Financing Office had
no budgetary allocation in 2024 and 2025, explaining that its request for
inclusion in the 2024 fiscal year was submitted too late to reach the
President.
Tension emerged during the hearing when Senator Oluranti
Idiat (APC, Lagos Central) queried why nearly half of ₦4.44 billion previously
referenced in documents appeared to have been spent on consultancy and
operational costs, almost equalling the amount spent on core projects.
“You have used almost half of ₦4.44 billion for consultancy
and operational expenses and spent about ₦4 billion on the project itself.
Don’t you think that is why you are not getting another budget?” Idiat asked.
In response, Iliya said the documents being referred to
related to 2014 and not the 2023 funding cycle, adding that the Safe Schools
programme funding in question was released in 2023. Idiat sharply replied:
“You’re not doing us a favour. Please withdraw that statement.”
Also contributing, Senator Musa Maidoki (APC, Kebbi South)
questioned the policy rationale of separate allocations to security agencies,
arguing that Safe Schools funding should be tied strictly to performance and
domiciled closer to communities.
Similarly, Senator Kenneth Eze (APC, Ebonyi Central) raised
fears of possible misappropriation, stating that the financial submissions
lacked clarity and authenticity, and that consultancy expenses raised serious
red flags.
The Senate committee vowed to continue its probe and
insisted that no further steps would be taken until complete, transparent and
verifiable records are presented.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com