The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has pledged to strengthen security around schools across the country to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
The minister made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving an award from the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) in recognition of his efforts in safeguarding schools and promoting the Safe Schools Initiative.
Musa said the Federal Government would continue to collaborate with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to protect students, stressing that education cannot flourish without adequate security.
“Without security, there will not be a good learning environment. We will continue to work seriously to ensure that our schools are safe,” he said.
He called for sustained cooperation among parents, teachers, government, and society to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
The defence minister noted that the award had strengthened his resolve to push for policies and initiatives that improve teaching and learning, provide safe and inclusive school environments, empower teachers through training and resources, and foster stronger collaboration between schools, parents, and communities.
He described parents and teachers as critical partners in nation-building, adding that proper education and discipline are essential for producing responsible citizens and preventing social instability.
Earlier, the President of NAPTAN, Haruna Danjuma, said the minister’s appointment reflected his years of service and 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 reassured parents and boosted school attendance amid security challenges, especially the threats of kidnappings and attacks on educational institutions.
According to the association, parents across the country have benefitted from improved security measures around vulnerable schools, noting that the award was meant to encourage the minister to sustain and expand such efforts.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwa, commended Musa’s leadership, describing the award as recognition of his dedication to safeguarding both national security and the future of Nigerian children.
He said the ministry would continue to work closely with education stakeholders to ensure that security and education advance together.
Concerns over school safety have intensified in recent years following repeated attacks and kidnappings of students and teachers by bandits and other criminal groups, incidents that have disrupted academic activities and heightened anxiety among parents and education stakeholders.
