The Save the Children has commended the Nigeria Police Force Schools Protection Squad (SPS) for its sustained commitment to safeguarding schools, enhancing community safety, and strengthening rapid response mechanisms across the country.
This commendation was delivered during a courtesy visit by the Country Director of Save the Children, Duncan Harvey, and members of the organisation’s Senior Management Team to the Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The visit was held on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police as part of ongoing collaboration to strengthen the implementation of the Safe Schools framework in Nigeria.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid, the visiting delegation praised the SPS for its instrumental role in advancing Nigeria’s national agenda on child protection and education security. The Squad, he noted, has significantly contributed to ensuring that children across the country learn in safe, secure, and violence-free environments.
Speaking during the visit, Harvey highlighted Nigeria’s growing global recognition as a leader in the implementation of safe school initiatives. He disclosed that Save the Children, in collaboration with the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, is facilitating a high-level international exchange programme. The initiative will bring foreign delegates to Nigeria to understudy the country’s successful Safe Schools model, with the SPS expected to play a central role in demonstrating its operational strategies and impact at the field level.
In further recognition of Nigeria’s progress, Norway has expressed interest in the country’s school protection framework. Following the Fifth International Safe Schools Declaration Conference held in Kenya, senior Norwegian officials, including the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and the Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Norway, are expected to visit Nigeria. The delegation will tour the SPS Headquarters to gain deeper insights into its operations and achievements.
Responding, CP Shogunle expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to sustaining partnerships aimed at strengthening school safety, community protection, and collaboration with key education stakeholders nationwide.
Save the Children, a leading international organisation operating in over 120 countries, has maintained a presence in Nigeria since 2001, implementing programmes focused on child protection, healthcare, resilience building, safe schools, and humanitarian response.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its resolve to ensure that schools across the country remain safe and secure environments for all learners.