‘Incessant attacks on schools threat to realisation of MDGs in Nigeria’

Government at all levels have been called upon to provide safe and accessible learning environments for children in emergency situations.

A Civil Society organisation with focus on security in schools and students, the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), made the call in Ilorin at an event to mark 2022 Global Action Week for Education (GAWE).

The programme is in partnership with the Kwara state ministry of Education, the Research and Project Center (dRPC) and Ford Foundation.

Speaking with newsmen, the Executive Director of the initiative, Mr. Abideen Olasupo, said it is necessary to reduce the 10.5m out-of-school children in Nigeria presently.

According to him, “this call becomes imperative especially in isolated schools and vulnerable areas where attackers can get away easily.

“As children and young people are our greatest assets, there must be the need to help them acquire necessary education and skills they need to realize their potentials.”

Olasupo said attacks on schools and students are a threat to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 of the UN which “focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

He added that number of children being prevented from accessing education was on the increase due to partial and total closure of schools occasioned by attacks on schools and abduction of students.

“In the event of an attack on schools, leading to destruction of school facilities, the government should ensure quick fixing of these facilities.

“Schools must also have security plan and survey. Ensuring security in schools and among students is the responsibility of every stakeholder, not government alone,” he submitted.