54 African Countries Set to Adopt Nigeria’s Safe Schools Security Model — IGP Disu
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
Nigeria’s Safe Schools security initiative has gained continental recognition as 54 African countries under the African Union move to understudy and adopt the Nigeria Police Force’s model for protecting schools and educational institutions against insecurity and armed conflict.
The development was disclosed in a press release issued by the Nigeria Police Force and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid.
According to the statement, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, received the African Union Special Envoy for Children Affected by Armed Conflict, Jainaba Jagne, alongside an international delegation at the Force Headquarters in Abuja as part of efforts to strengthen school safety across Africa.
The delegation, which included representatives from Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Ethiopia, the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), and Save the Children International, visited the Nigeria Police Force Schools Protection Squad Command and Control Centre under the Safe Schools Declaration framework.
Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Jagne praised the Nigeria Police Force for its commitment to protecting schools and children affected by insecurity.
“Several African countries are looking to understudy and adapt the Nigerian Safe Schools model,” she stated, noting that member states across the African Union had shown strong interest in the initiative as part of broader continental efforts to secure educational institutions.
She described Nigeria’s approach as a strategic response to growing threats against schools in conflict-prone regions and commended the country’s efforts in child protection and educational safety.
In his remarks, IGP Disu reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the full implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration through collaboration with educational authorities, development partners, and relevant stakeholders.
“The Force will continue to deploy intelligence-led strategies, patrol operations, rapid response mechanisms, and technology-driven solutions to ensure the safety of schools nationwide,” the police chief said.
Disu also appreciated the visiting delegation for recognising Nigeria’s progress in advancing school security and child protection.
He reiterated the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force to support collaborative regional initiatives aimed at strengthening educational safety across the African continent.
The visit is expected to deepen regional cooperation on school protection policies and promote the adoption of coordinated security frameworks for schools across Africa.
