Stakeholders in education and security sectors have renewed calls for stronger protection of schools, citing the escalating attacks on learning environments and the devastating impact on students’ safety and future.

The appeal was made at a Peace and Security Summit organised by the National Association of University Students (NAUS) in Abuja, bringing together security experts, government officials, lawmakers, legal practitioners, and students.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, linked Nigeria’s rising insecurity to the absence of economic justice and to leaders’ failure to uphold their constitutional responsibilities.

“There can be no peace where justice is denied. Our roads, universities, and infrastructure are failing,” he said, questioning why criminal groups continue to operate freely from forests and why schools have remained soft targets.

The senior advocate argued that investing in developing areas like the Sambisa Forest to develop them into economic zones or tourist centres would leave criminal gangs with no space to hide.

He criticised the mismanagement of public resources, the lack of transparency, and the growing disconnect between leaders and citizens, urging young people to demand accountability rather than accept token incentives from politicians.

NAUS National Vice President (North-Central), Blessing Henry, expressed concerns over frequent attacks on schools and the abduction of students for ransom.

“We need a safe learning environment. Government must intervene. We need more security on our campuses,” she said.

Henry lamented the constant attacks by armed groups and inadequate intervention from authorities, noting that students across the country are suffering and in urgent need of protection.

“NAUS is working with international human rights organisations to establish peace and safety clubs across universities, and has set up civic and emergency helplines,” she stated.

Representing Dr Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Boniface Odeh reassured stakeholders that the agency has expanded its Safe School Initiative(SSI) to ensure quicker and more effective protection of education facilities nationwide.

“Security has gone beyond physical presence. If anything happens in any school, it takes less than 15 minutes for our operatives to move in,” he said.

Member of the House of Representatives for Bokkos-Mangu Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Ishaya Lalu, expressed deep sorrow over the continuous killings in his constituency, urging young Nigerians to engage constructively in governance and demand accountability.

The meeting ended with a collective appeal to the Federal Government, security agencies, and state authorities to intensify efforts to secure schools, address the economic drivers of insecurity, strengthen intelligence gathering, and ensure justice for victims of attacks.

Stakeholders also emphasised the importance of engaging young people in decision-making and policy formulation to create lasting peace across the country.