Dare Babalola
The Save the Children organisation has commended the Nigeria Police Force Schools Protection Squad (SPS) for its sustained efforts in strengthening school safety, community protection, and rapid response systems across the country.
The commendation was made during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Abayomi Shogunle, PhD, by the Country Director of Save the Children, Duncan Harvey, alongside members of the organisation’s senior management team.
The visit, which was conducted on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, forms part of ongoing collaboration between Save the Children and the Nigeria Police Force aimed at reinforcing the implementation of the Safe School Declaration and improving coordinated security mechanisms for the protection of educational institutions nationwide.
According to the statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the engagement also underscores efforts to deepen international partnerships on school security and child protection.
Commending the Schools Protection Squad, the Country Director of Save the Children, Duncan Harvey, said the unit has played a significant role in Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard education in the face of growing security challenges.
“The Country Director commended the Nigeria Police School Protection Squad (SPS), noting that the Squad has been instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s national agenda to address the challenges facing children, while ensuring they learn in safe, secure, and violence free environments,” the statement read.
He further disclosed that Nigeria has gained international recognition for its Safe Schools implementation framework, adding that the country’s model is attracting global interest and partnerships.
According to him, Save the Children is currently working with the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) to organise a high-level state-to-state exchange visit, where foreign delegates will visit Nigeria to study its operational approach to school protection.
“In his remark, he stated that Nigeria has been recognised globally as a leader in Safe Schools implementation and in furtherance of this, Save the Children is supporting the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) to host a high-level state-to-state exchange visit of foreign delegates to Nigeria to understudy the successful implementation model in Nigeria during which the Nigeria Police Schools Protection Squad will play a central role in showcasing Nigeria’s model, operational structures, and field level impact,” the statement added.
The organisation also revealed that Norway has shown interest in Nigeria’s progress in school protection initiatives, with plans underway for a visit following discussions at the Fifth International Safe Schools Declaration Conference held in Kenya.
“As one of the global champions for protecting education from attack, Norway has also indicated interest in Nigeria’s progress. Following the Fifth International Safe Schools Declaration Conference held in Kenya last year, the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Norway, alongside the Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Norway, is planning a visit to Nigeria.
“The delegation will visit the Schools Protection Squad Headquarters to gain deeper understanding of its operations and the commendable work being done in protecting education,” it stated.
In his response, CP Abayomi Shogunle, PhD, expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening school protection initiatives and enhancing community safety through sustained collaboration with stakeholders in the education sector.
The statement further noted that Save the Children, an international non-governmental organisation operating in over 120 countries, continues to implement child-focused programmes in Nigeria, including child protection, health, resilience building, Safe Schools initiatives, and humanitarian response during emergencies such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and armed conflict.
The organisation has been active in Nigeria since 2001 and currently operates in 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Reiterating its commitment, the Nigeria Police Force assured that schools across the country would continue to enjoy enhanced protection to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.
