FG allocates ₦15 billion for safe school initiative in 2023 budget

<p>The initiative's primary objective is to ensure uninterrupted access to education for these vulnerable children.</p>, <span>President Bola Tinubu. Presidency</span>, <h2>The Federal Government of Nigeria has emphasised the paramount importance of its allocation of ₦15 billion in the 2023 budget for the Safe School Initiative (SSI).</h2>, <p>Hajia Halima Iliya, the National Coordinator of SSI at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, reiterated this commitment during a news conference held in Abuja.</p>, <p>The Safe School Initiative aims to provide a secure learning environment for children who have been adversely affected by conflicts and insecurity across the nation. Hajia Halima Iliya conveyed that the initiative's primary objective is to ensure uninterrupted access to education for these vulnerable children.</p>, <p>Notably, the initiative's comprehensive financing plan, which was developed and launched in December 2022, is set to span from 2023 to 2026, encompassing an overall investment of ₦144.8 billion. The detailed financing plan outlines allocations of ₦32.58 billion in 2023, ₦36.98 billion in 2024, ₦37.15 billion in 2025, and ₦38.03 billion in 2026, respectively. To kickstart this crucial endeavor, the Federal Government has designated ₦15 billion for the year 2023.</p>, <p>Hajia Halima Iliya elucidated that this ambitious plan would be sustained through various funding sources, including annual budget allocations from federal, state, and local governments, as well as contributions from government interventionist agencies, foreign governments, multilateral institutions, donor partners, businesses, and philanthropists.</p>, <p>In her address, Iliya outlined the strategic implementation approach that encompasses securing 50% of public schools at risk over the medium term from 2023 to 2026. This strategy involves constructing and integrating security-resilient host communities to safeguard educational institutions.</p>, <p>Additionally, the plan aims to enhance the capabilities