The Safe Schools Project has witnessed a significant increase in school enrolment amid growing concerns over the rising wave of school kidnappings, especially in rural communities across the country.
Findings by Sunday PUNCH revealed that the number of schools registered under the initiative has climbed to 14,685, up from 11,550 recorded about a month ago.
Confirming the development on Saturday, the Commander of the National Safe Schools Response and Coordination Centre, Gen. Emmanuel Ocheja, said the rise reflects heightened concern over school safety.
“As of today, 14,685 schools are officially registered under the Safe Schools Initiative, marking a notable increase from November when just 11,550 schools were listed on the central monitoring platform. We are now experiencing a surge in the registration of schools,” he said.
The Safe Schools Project was introduced in 2014 in response to the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, with the aim of strengthening security around educational institutions. Despite the initiative, several schools across the country are still exposed to attacks.
Last week, Ocheja disclosed that additional security personnel would be deployed to schools beginning in 2026 to enhance protection and address emerging threats.
The surge in registrations has followed a series of mass abductions that have unsettled the nation. On November 17, 2025, gunmen attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, abducting 24 students and killing the vice-principal.
Four days later, on November 21, armed assailants invaded St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting hundreds of pupils and staff. Church and community officials later confirmed that 303 students and 12 teachers were taken, marking one of the largest school kidnappings in recent years.
Although the Safe Schools Project was allocated N144.8 billion for the 2023–2026 period, reports indicate that only a small portion of the funds has been released, creating significant gaps in the security framework required to safeguard schools nationwide.
Despite the persistent attacks on educational institutions, no fewer than 30 states are yet to implement the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Project.
