By Peace Udugba
The Ogun State Government has activated the Safe School Initiative in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive, as part of efforts to protect students, teachers and other school personnel from rising security threats across the country.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu.
Arigbabu said the initiative is being implemented through a multi-stakeholder approach involving security agencies, host communities and relevant government institutions.
According to him, the state has established a Safe School Committee to coordinate the implementation of the initiative and strengthen existing security measures in schools.
He explained that the committee was constituted in line with the directive of the Minister of Education for all states to activate the Safe School Initiative.
“We have set up a Safe School Committee comprising various stakeholders participating in the Safe School Initiative to complement the efforts of the Federal Government,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the initiative comes at a time of heightened insecurity across the country, with several schools recently targeted by kidnappers and terrorists.
He said the programme builds on existing federal and state security strategies while introducing additional measures specifically designed to improve the safety of schools.
Describing fencing as one of the protective measures, Arigbabu said the government had already carried out assessments and cost estimates for fencing public schools across the state.
“We are taking the fencing of schools in phases. While fencing alone is not a complete solution, it serves as an important barrier against intruders and forms part of our broader security strategy,” he stated.
The commissioner also disclosed that school administrators had been directed to register their schools with nearby police stations and maintain regular communication with Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ensure rapid response during emergencies.
He added that regular security review meetings are being held between school authorities, the police and other security agencies, while the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor coordinates broader security interventions across the state.
According to him, security personnel have also been strategically deployed around some schools, although it is impractical to station police officers or Amotekun personnel at every school.
Arigbabu said surveillance, routine patrols and community participation remain critical components of the initiative, noting that residents are becoming more security conscious and increasingly willing to report suspicious movements within their communities.
He stressed that schools located in rural and border communities considered more vulnerable to security threats are receiving enhanced attention.
Recalling a recent visit to Yewa, the commissioner said he observed a stronger security presence around schools in the area, including police officers and Amotekun operatives.
“There is special attention to schools in rural communities because they are more susceptible to security threats. During my recent visit to Yewa, I saw security personnel deployed around schools, and I commended the police for their efforts,” he said.
The commissioner reaffirmed the Ogun State Government’s commitment to providing a safe and secure learning environment for students and teachers, assuring residents that the administration would continue to strengthen security infrastructure and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to safeguard schools across the state.
