NHRC Urges National Assembly to Pass Safe Schools Bill

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the National Assembly to pass the Safe Schools Bill into law without further delay, describing the protection of schools as essential to safeguarding children’s right to education.

The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, made the call in a statement issued to commemorate the 2026 World Teachers’ Day, observed annually on October 5.

The Safe Schools Bill, sponsored by Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, representing Ekiti Central, and Senator Jiya Ndalikali, representing Niger South, is currently at the second reading stage in the National Assembly, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Ojukwu said Nigeria’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 and other national and international obligations on the right to education required sustained efforts to recruit, train, motivate and retain qualified teachers while improving their working conditions.

He urged governments, education authorities, school administrators, parents and communities to move beyond policy declarations and take concrete steps to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to quality, inclusive and safe education.

“Investing in teachers is investing in the right to education and the future of the country. A nation cannot guarantee quality education while its teachers are inadequately supported and its schools remain unsafe or poorly equipped,” he said.

The NHRC boss stressed that improving Nigeria’s education system required more than policy commitments, noting that teacher welfare, professional development and decent working conditions were closely linked to the right of every child to quality education.

He called on governments to prioritise education in their planning and budgeting, particularly in rural, underserved and conflict-affected communities where children face greater barriers to learning.

According to him, teachers remain central to the realisation of the right to education and the development of a society founded on equality, human dignity and respect for human rights.

He identified regular professional training, timely payment of salaries, decent working conditions, manageable workloads and adequate teaching resources as essential to supporting teachers and improving learning outcomes.

Ojukwu also expressed concern over overcrowded classrooms, inadequate facilities and poor learning environments, noting that such challenges ultimately affect the quality of education available to children.

He urged governments to accelerate investment in functional classrooms, potable water and sanitation facilities, electricity, digital learning infrastructure and disability-inclusive facilities.

He further called for greater attention to girls, children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups to ensure equal access to education.

Ojukwu reiterated his appeal to the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Safe Schools Bill, stressing the need to strengthen the protection of schools and learners across the country.

He also urged the government to translate its education commitments and budgetary allocations into visible improvements in classrooms and the welfare of both teachers and learners.