The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding schools and ensuring a secure learning environment across Nigeria.
Musa gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the Distinguished Service in National Peace and Security Merit Award from the National Parent Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN).
The minister stressed that security remains fundamental to educational development, noting that effective teaching and learning cannot thrive in an unsafe environment.
“Without security, there can be no conducive learning environment,” Musa said. “We will continue to work seriously to ensure that our schools remain safe across the country.”
He commended parents and teachers for their critical role in shaping disciplined and responsible citizens, describing them as the “twin pillars” of a child’s development. According to him, strong collaboration between parents and teachers is essential to building future national leadership and ensuring long-term stability.
Receiving the award, Musa said the recognition further strengthened his resolve to pursue policies and initiatives that promote safe, inclusive, and well-resourced schools nationwide. He also reaffirmed the Defence Ministry’s partnership with education stakeholders to protect schools from criminal threats and sustain the gains recorded under the Safe School Programme.
Speaking at the event, NAPTAN National President, Haruna Danjuma, said the association honoured the defence minister in recognition of his “dynamic and proactive” efforts to enhance school security and protect Nigerian children.
Danjuma recalled the launch of the Safe School initiative in 2024, noting that parents had been encouraged by renewed strategies aimed at tackling school-related insecurity. He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for the defence minister to advance national security reforms.
The NAPTAN president further called for more innovative and dynamic approaches by the military and other security agencies to guarantee the safety of schools nationwide.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, described the award as a reflection of the strong bond between the Armed Forces, educational institutions, and the wider society.
He assured parents and other stakeholders that the ministry would continue to collaborate with communities, teachers, and security agencies to protect schools and secure Nigeria’s future generations.
