The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have explored strategic collaboration to strengthen security across tertiary institutions amid persistent attacks on schools and the abduction of students.
Ahmed Audi, the commandant general of the NSCDC, led a high-powered delegation of senior officers on a courtesy visit to the TETFund headquarters on Thursday, where discussions centred on improving safety within Nigeria’s educational environment.
Audi said although attacks on schools have reduced in recent times, sustained stakeholders’ support remains critical to addressing lingering security challenges.
He said discussions with TETFund focused on establishing a robust inter-agency framework covering the training of private security guards on campuses, support for NSCDC training institutions and research, and strengthening the link between security and education.
The NSCDC boss described the corps as a key player in Nigeria’s security architecture, with responsibility for protecting national critical assets and infrastructure, including educational institutions.
Audi appealed to TETFund to support the upgrade of the corps’ six training institutions, particularly the College of Security Management in Abeokuta, to enhance career development and global-standard training for officers.
He rejected claims that the corps alone could adequately secure all schools, citing structural challenges.
According to him, surveys conducted by the NSCDC show that over 60,000 of Nigeria’s more than 81,000 schools are porous, lacking perimeter fencing and security personnel.
“With a total strength of about 63,000 personnel nationwide, it is impossible to deploy one officer per school,” Audi said, stressing that school security must adopt a whole-of-society approach involving government agencies, host communities, traditional institutions and development partners.
He noted that initiatives such as the safe school initiative have helped reduce attacks, adding that security agencies are working closely to prevent emerging threats.
Responding, Sonny Echono, the executive secretary of TETFund, commended the NSCDC and other security agencies for their efforts in safeguarding the country and reaffirmed the fund’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at securing Nigeria’s educational institutions.
