The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, has called on the Lagos State Government to urgently pass the Safe School Declaration Bill into law and develop a comprehensive budget plan to implement its safety provisions across schools.
Ms. Emmanuela Azu, Head of Programmes at WARDC, emphasized that codifying the SSD bill would mark a vital step toward creating a secure and supportive learning environment for students, especially amid growing concerns about national insecurity.
“The Lagos State Government should pass the SSD bill into law and develop a cost plan to implement its provisions,” Azu said. “This will ensure not just physical security, but also provide psychosocial protection and a nurturing academic space.”
She outlined critical components of school safety, including secure perimeter fencing, adequate sanitation facilities—particularly for girls—measures to reduce gender-based violence, and robust psychosocial support systems.
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WARDC has already prepared a cost analysis document for the Ministry of Education, proposing practical funding strategies to aid the bill’s implementation.
“A budget is essential to ensure the law’s impact isn’t just on paper but in practice,” Azu said.
She urged the Lagos State Government to act proactively rather than wait for a crisis to unfold, as seen in other regions where schools have suffered violent attacks.
“We cannot afford to wait. Being proactive about school safety will protect our students and reassure parents,” she said.
The WARDC representative also called for national adoption of the Safe School Declaration and urged other states to domesticate it as law, aligning with Nigeria’s national policy on school safety and violence prevention.
NAN
