EDUCATION MINISTER TASKS UNITY COLLEGE PRINCIPALS TO TAKE CHARGE OF SCHOOL SECURITY
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, has urged principals of Federal Unity Colleges across the country to take up active security management roles rather than focus solely on academic leadership.
She made the call in Abuja during the annual meeting of principals of Federal Unity Colleges, which focused on building safe, resilient and sustainable learning environments amid rising insecurity.
The minister expressed concern over threats such as banditry, insurgency, student abductions and communal conflicts, warning that these challenges continue to disrupt learning, cause psychological trauma and discourage teachers from accepting postings to high-risk areas.
She noted that the 117 Federal Unity Colleges accommodate students from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, making their safety a major responsibility for school administrators.
Professor Suwaiba urged principals to review their security plans, strengthen collaboration with security agencies and host communities, conduct regular safety drills and adopt technology-driven measures to protect students and staff.
She assured them that the Federal Government would continue to support their welfare and strengthen security arrangements to ensure schools remain safe environments for learning.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Association of Principals of Federal Unity Colleges, Alain-Michel Boudairou, described the meeting’s theme as timely, stressing that education cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear.
He called for stronger school security measures, improved infrastructure, adequate funding and the recruitment of more teachers, particularly in science, mathematics and technical subjects.