Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of schools across the state, declaring that educational institutions must not become targets for criminal activities.
The governor made the pledge during a one-day seminar focused on strengthening safety, security and child protection measures within educational institutions across Oyo State.
The seminar, themed “Building Resilient Schools: Strengthening Operational Capacity for Safety, Security and Child Protection in Oyo State Educational Institutions,” brought together security agencies, school administrators, government officials and development partners to discuss strategies for protecting schools and learners.
Represented by the Head of Operations of the Oyo State Security Trust Fund, Akin Oyedele, Makinde said his administration remains committed to investing in measures that will protect students, teachers and educational infrastructure.
“We will ensure no school becomes a soft target for criminal elements,” the governor stated.
Makinde noted that growing security challenges in different parts of Nigeria have made it necessary for governments and stakeholders to review existing approaches to school safety and develop stronger preventive mechanisms.
He assured participants that the state government would provide the logistical and policy support required to implement recommendations emerging from the seminar.
The governor also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, communities, school authorities and other stakeholders, stressing that school security cannot be achieved through government efforts alone.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, represented by Permanent Secretary Mrs Bamidele Oyinloye, urged all stakeholders to take collective responsibility for protecting schools.
Also contributing, the Oyo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Augustine Padonu, represented by Deputy Commandant Timothy Patunola, identified major vulnerabilities affecting many schools. These include inadequate perimeter fencing, unrestricted access to school premises, weak security awareness, poor emergency preparedness, limited surveillance infrastructure and ineffective communication channels with security agencies.
Participants at the seminar agreed on the need for stronger preventive measures, improved emergency response systems and greater community involvement in safeguarding educational institutions.
The state government expressed optimism that the outcomes of the engagement would contribute significantly to building safer learning environments and protecting children from security threats.
