General News
LAGOS State Government says Safe School Initiative (SSI) has improved security across schools by strengthening infrastructure, emergency preparedness and compliance with established safety standards.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.
According to him, enhanced safety audits, better access control and adherence to pre-resumption requirements have boosted public confidence, promoted accountability among school owners, and reinforced Lagos State’s commitment to quality education.
Alli-Balogun said that the state government had remained committed to SSI conceived by the Federal Government.
He described perimeter fencing as a fundamental requirement for protecting learners and ensuring secure school environments.
He said that the state government had mandated every public and private school to ensure a safe learning environment through adequate perimeter fencing, controlled access and regular safety assessments in line with SSI.
Alli-Balogun said that secure perimeter fencing remained central to SSI, urging school owners to address identified security gaps and strengthen measures that would safeguard learners, teachers and visitors.
“The SSI begins with a secure environment.
‘Strong perimeter fencing, effective access control and regular safety inspections are essential to protecting every child and sustaining uninterrupted learning,” he said.
A public secondary school teacher, Mrs Jumoke Bajulaiye, described SSI as a policy promoting safer learning environments, improving students’ concentration and reducing accidents.
She added that the policy reassured parents and enabled teachers to focus effectively.
Bajulaiye, however, said that poor implementation, inadequate school funding, overcrowded classrooms and poor perimeter fencing still characterised SSI.
She said that limited security personnel and inconsistent monitoring continued to hinder full compliance in some public and low-cost private schools.
“The Safe School Initiative will achieve lasting success through consistent enforcement, adequate funding, continuous training and strong collaboration among government, schools, parents and communities across Lagos.”
A parent, Mr Kenneth Arigizo, commended Lagos State Government’s implementation of the initiative, saying it had increased parents’ confidence by prioritising the safety and wellbeing of learners across schools.
Arigizo urged sustained investment in perimeter fencing, security personnel, controlled access and regular safety assessments, hoping that consistent implementation would further strengthen school safety in the state.
According to him, Lagos schools must remain safe spaces for every child.
“Consistent implementation, improved security infrastructure and active collaboration among government, parents and schools will sustain the initiative.
A student, Miss Abibat Busari, said that Lagos State Government regularly sensitised students on SSI.
Busari said that the SSI had improved confidence among learners through safer school environments, controlled access and regular safety awareness, enabling students to concentrate better on learning.
“The Safe School Initiative makes us feel protected because we learn in secure environments.
“It gives us confidence, reduces fear and allows us to focus fully on our studies every day.”
NAN reports that Safe School Initiative was introduced by the Federal Government to ensure that schools provide secure, inclusive and conducive learning environments.
The initiative promotes security measures such as perimeter fencing, controlled access to schools, emergency preparedness, safety awareness, regular risk assessments and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
The aim is to safeguard lives and support uninterrupted teaching and learning.
In Lagos State, the government has strengthened implementation by requiring all public and private schools to comply with minimum safety standards before resumption.
It organises regular sensitisation programmes for students and staff, safety inspections, emergency response and continuous monitoring to enhance overall security of schools across the state. (NAN)
W.U
July 9, 2026
Tags: Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun