By Segun Martins-
Abuja, Nigeria — First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who spearheads a renewed national campaign for safer schools and greater investment in girls’ learning, has called for greater protection for school girls, following the abduction of the Kebbi girls from school by insurgency groups in the past 24 hours. Her appeal comes amid persistent threats to school safety, following the recent ongoing gender-based violence and kidnappings, as well as widening educational disparities affecting millions of girls across the country.
During a national event marking the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, the First Lady urged government officials, civil-society organisations, community and religious leaders, and parents to strengthen their collective commitment to safeguarding educational spaces. She stressed that failing to protect schools not only disrupts learning but also undermines the country’s long-term development and stability.
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She said: ‘As a nation, we must ensure that every child grows up free from fear and harm. I call on the government agencies , civil society, traditional and religious leaders, parents and young people to work together to create a protective environment where children can feel safe and thrive”
“Every girl has the right to learn without fear,” she said. “We cannot allow insecurity to steal the future of our daughters. Protecting them is not just a moral duty; it is essential for the prosperity of our nation. we are aware that protecting children must go beyond mere words and good intentions. It demands informed action , guided by accurate data, research, and sound policies”.
A Campaign Focused on Safety, Inclusion, and Education
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The First Lady’s advocacy is part of a broader continental initiative known as “Education as a Powerful Tool for Change,” coordinated through the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development. The campaign places girls at the centre of national transformation efforts and calls for safe, inclusive, and gender-responsive learning environments.
President Bola Tinubu echoed this commitment, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to ensuring that no child is excluded from quality education. Several state governments have also aligned with this vision by supporting programs designed to bring out-of-school girls back into learning.
One notable initiative championed by the First Lady is the establishment of Alternative High Schools for Girls, which provide a second chance for young women who left school due to early marriage, economic hardship, or insecurity. These schools aim to give adolescent girls a pathway to complete their education and improve their prospects for independence.
In addition to promoting physical safety, Senator Tinubu has called for a nationwide shift toward a gender-sensitive school curriculum. She argues that the lessons children learn in the classroom have far-reaching effects on society and can either reinforce or challenge harmful norms.
She has urged educational authorities to integrate content that promotes respect, equality, empathy, and non-violence, citing the persistent rise of domestic and gender-based violence as evidence that cultural attitudes must change from the earliest stages of learning.
Kidnappings and Ransom Attacks Pose Growing Threats
Despite these efforts, Nigeria continues to confront serious obstacles. Kidnappings and armed attacks on schools—particularly in the North-West and North-East—remain a significant threat. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, more than 150 school-related abductions were reported in the past year alone, while data over the past five years indicate that more than 700 students and teachers have been kidnapped nationwide.
Security analysts note that many of these kidnappings are carried out for ransom, a practice that has increasingly become a lucrative source of income for criminal groups. Families and communities are often forced to pay large sums to secure the release of children, creating fear and discouraging school attendance.
“The wave of kidnappings targeting students is deeply concerning,” the First Lady said. “It is a form of violence that not only traumatizes children but also undermines trust in our education system. We must strengthen both security measures and community vigilance to ensure our daughters can learn without fear.”
Civil society groups emphasize that without sustained investment in community-led security strategies, surveillance, and trauma-support services, many families will continue to fear sending their daughters to school. In addition to conflict-related challenges, deep-rooted cultural practices such as child marriage and discrimination also hinder girls’ access to education. Rights advocates continue to call for stronger enforcement of child-protection laws and greater public awareness about the importance of educating girls rather than marrying them off early.
Promising Initiatives and a Call for Sustained Action
Despite these obstacles, several local programs are showing positive results. In some states, mentorship and leadership fellowships for female students have been launched to build confidence and promote advocacy against violence. Trauma-informed schools in conflict-affected regions are helping young survivors rebuild their lives through psychological support, stable routines, and compassionate teaching.
The First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has been deployed across multiple states to coordinate capacity-building programs, community sensitization workshops, and direct assistance to vulnerable girls. The initiative emphasizes that empowering female students is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic pathway to national progress.
Experts warn, however, that consistent policy enforcement, sustained funding, and collaboration among stakeholders are essential to transform these commitments into meaningful progress.
If Nigeria succeeds in strengthening school safety and expanding educational opportunities for girls, the impact will resonate for generations. Educated girls become empowered women—and empowered women help build a more equitable, peaceful, and prosperous nation.
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