Governor Otti Declares School Security a Top Priority, Pledges Safer Learning Environment Across Abia
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening school security, describing the safety of students, teachers, and educational facilities as a key pillar of the state’s ongoing education reform programme.
Governor Otti made the declaration on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the National Safe School Integrated Command and Intelligence System at the Government House in Umuahia. The delegation was led by the National Commander of the initiative, Dr. Umannah Samuel Amadi.
The governor stressed that creating a secure learning environment remains essential to improving educational outcomes, noting that no meaningful academic progress can be achieved without adequate protection for schools.
He said the rising cases of attacks, kidnappings, and abductions of students and teachers in different parts of Nigeria have made it imperative for governments to adopt stronger security measures around educational institutions.
According to Governor Otti, every school being renovated or newly constructed by his administration will be required to meet established security standards.
“Every school we are renovating or constructing in Abia must meet minimum security standards. They must be properly fenced, have gates and security personnel. We are determined to ensure that our children learn in a safe and secure environment,” the governor stated.
Governor Otti also commended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for its continued partnership in safeguarding lives and public assets across the state, especially following the withdrawal of police protection from some public office holders and VIPs.
Highlighting his administration’s investment in education, the governor disclosed that Abia State has consistently committed about 20 percent of its annual budget to the education sector. He explained that the allocation supports infrastructure development, teachers’ welfare, curriculum improvement, and other strategic interventions aimed at raising educational standards.
Speaking on emergency preparedness, Governor Otti revealed that Abia already operates a functional Command and Control Centre with the emergency response number 112, adding that the state’s existing emergency infrastructure would be integrated with the National Safe School initiative to ensure faster and more coordinated responses to security threats.
He explained that the focus should be on collaboration rather than creating parallel structures, noting that integrating existing systems would improve efficiency and strengthen the protection of schools across the state.
Earlier, the National Commander of the National Safe School Integrated Command and Intelligence System, Dr. Umannah Samuel Amadi, presented the organisation’s four-year strategic work plan to the governor. He appealed for stronger collaboration between the Abia State Government and the organisation to improve security in both public and private schools.
Dr. Amadi also invited Governor Otti to visit the National Safe School Response and Coordination Centre in Abuja to further deepen cooperation on school safety initiatives.
Providing further insight into the programme, the Head of ICT of the organisation, Mr. Ikor Felix, disclosed that more than 169,000 schools have already been registered on the National Safe School digital platform through a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education.
He explained that the platform evaluates schools based on critical security indicators, including perimeter fencing, surveillance systems, availability of security personnel, emergency response facilities, and geolocation technology, all aimed at enabling rapid intervention during emergencies.
Mr. Felix commended Abia State for its impressive level of school registration and recommended the establishment of a state-based command and control centre linked to the national platform to strengthen school security across the state’s 17 local government areas.
Also speaking, the Abia State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps appreciated Governor Otti for refurbishing operational vehicles for the command and pledged the agency’s continued support in maintaining peace and protecting schools throughout the state.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole; Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander Macdonald Uba (Rtd); Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Lady Lydia Onuoha; Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Sir Kenechukwu Nwosu, alongside other senior government officials.
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The renewed collaboration between the Abia State Government and the National Safe School Integrated Command and Intelligence System is expected to enhance emergency response, improve school security infrastructure, and provide a safer learning environment for students and teachers across the state.
