ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), has reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing security around schools nationwide to guarantee a safe and supportive learning atmosphere for students.
He made the pledge on Wednesday while receiving an award from the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria in Abuja, in acknowledgment of his contributions to protecting schools and promoting the Safe Schools Initiative.
The minister stated that the Federal Government would sustain collaboration with parents, teachers and other stakeholders to safeguard students, emphasising that meaningful education cannot flourish in the absence of security.
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“Without security, there will not be a good learning environment. We will continue to work seriously to ensure that our schools are safe.
Let us continue to work hand-in-hand, parents, teachers, government, and society, to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
“This award will strengthen my resolve to continue working for policies and initiatives that improve the quality of teaching and learning, provide a safe and inclusive environment for our children, empower teachers with resources and training, and foster stronger collaboration between schools, parents, and communities. This is very critical,” the minister said.
Musa described parents and teachers as indispensable partners in nation-building, noting that sound education and discipline were vital to raising responsible citizens and preventing social instability.
Earlier, the President of NAPTAN, Haruna Danjuma, said the minister’s appointment reflected his long-standing service and dedication to national security, particularly his role in initiating the Safe Schools Programme during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff.
He noted that the initiative had boosted parents’ confidence and encouraged school attendance despite prevailing security challenges, including threats of kidnapping and attacks on educational institutions.
The association stated that parents nationwide had benefited from enhanced security arrangements around vulnerable schools, adding that the award was intended to motivate the minister to sustain and broaden such interventions.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwa, praised the minister’s leadership, describing the honour as recognition of his commitment to safeguarding both national security and the future of Nigerian children.
He added that the ministry would continue to work closely with education stakeholders to ensure that security and education advanced together.
Concerns over school safety have grown in recent years due to 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 education stakeholders.