The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has described the closure of at least 65 schools across northern Nigeria as a national disgrace, demanding a forensic investigation into billions of naira reportedly allocated to the Safe Schools Initiative.

The rights group said the worsening insecurity that has forced the closure of primary and secondary schools was depriving thousands of children of education and exposing them to the risk of child labour, early marriage, trafficking and recruitment by criminal and extremist groups.

HURIWA’s call followed reports that at least 65 schools across the region had either been shut or rendered non-functional because of insecurity.

The organisation particularly raised concern over the situation in Sokoto State, where schools in 20 of the state’s 23 local government areas have reportedly been shut indefinitely because of security threats.

HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, questioned what had happened to the huge funds committed to the Safe Schools Initiative, which was established more than a decade ago following the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State.

The group asked: “Where did the Safe Schools billions go?”

According to HURIWA, the Federal Government’s National Plan on Financing Safe Schools for 2023–2026 projected an expenditure of N144.86 billion on the programme.

It said the projected allocation comprised N32.58 billion for 2023, N36.98 billion for 2024, N37.15 billion for 2025 and N38.03 billion for 2026.

The organisation also recalled reports that more than $30 million had been mobilised for the Safe Schools Initiative since its establishment.

However, despite the financial commitments, HURIWA noted that terrorists, bandits and kidnappers were still determining where Nigerian children could safely go to school.

The group said the situation raised serious questions about the management and utilisation of funds allocated to protect schools.

It asked the government to explain who received the funds, who administered them, what contracts were awarded, what security infrastructure was provided and how many schools had actually benefited from the initiative.

“These questions can no longer be swept under the carpet,” HURIWA said.

The organisation called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to immediately commence a joint forensic investigation into the Safe Schools Initiative.

It said the investigation should trace every naira and dollar allocated, released or donated to the programme and establish what was budgeted, what was released, who received the funds, what contracts were executed and what projects were delivered.

HURIWA further demanded that anyone found to have diverted funds, inflated contracts, abandoned projects or otherwise abused money meant to protect Nigerian children should be prosecuted.

According to the organisation, those who allegedly misappropriated funds meant to protect children should not be allowed to hide behind government offices, political connections or bureaucratic procedures.

HURIWA also questioned the role of the National Assembly, asking why the legislature had not subjected the Safe Schools Initiative to adequate scrutiny despite the worsening security crisis.

The group challenged both chambers of the National Assembly to summon relevant ministers, government agencies, programme managers and contractors involved in the initiative for a public hearing on its finances and performance.

HURIWA warned that every additional day a school remains closed represents another day Nigerian children are denied access to education and a better future.

The organisation said the consequences of prolonged school closures go beyond missed lessons, warning that children left out of school could become vulnerable to child labour, early marriage, trafficking, radicalisation, recruitment into criminal networks and permanent educational exclusion.

“Nigeria cannot claim to be fighting insecurity while allowing insecurity to destroy the country’s education system,” the group said.

It called for an emergency national response involving the Federal Ministry of Education, the 36 state ministries of education and the education authorities in the Federal Capital Territory.

According to HURIWA, the response should include credible security deployment, intelligence-led protection of vulnerable schools, safe transportation, emergency learning centres, protection for teachers, secure boarding arrangements and continuous independent monitoring of schools in high-risk areas.

The organisation also demanded that any funds recovered from officials or contractors found culpable of corruption should be ring-fenced exclusively for rebuilding and securing affected schools.

HURIWA insisted that the Safe Schools Initiative must no longer operate as an opaque government programme in which huge sums are announced while the children it was created to protect remain exposed to danger.

It therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally order a comprehensive audit of the initiative and make the findings public.

HURIWA said the EFCC and ICPC should investigate, the National Assembly should probe, those found culpable should be prosecuted, looted funds should be recovered and affected schools should be secured and reopened.

“Nigerian children must not become victims twice: first of terrorism and banditry, and then of corruption and official impunity,” the organisation said.

It added that funds allocated to protect children should be used for that purpose rather than benefiting government officials, contractors or their political allies.

“Nigeria’s children have waited long enough. Their classrooms must be reopened. Their schools must be secured. Their future must not be stolen,” HURIWA said.