The Sokoto State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, in partnership with Plan International Nigeria, on Thursday hosted the Annual Safe Schools Summit to mark the International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
The event, held at Dankani Guest Palace Hotel, brought together key stakeholders in education and security to deliberate on strategies to strengthen school safety across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. A. L. Ala, the Secretary of the Education Implementation Unit, Abdullahi Altine Durbawa, commended Plan International Nigeria for its role in organising the summit. He stressed that the Sokoto State Government, under Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, remains committed to safeguarding education and ensuring schools remain safe spaces for learning.
In his welcome address, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Chika Murtala, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing threats to education. Plan International’s Project Coordinator in Sokoto, Joseph Julius, also delivered opening remarks, highlighting the organisation’s interventions and continued support for the education sector in the state.
Goodwill messages were presented by representatives of the State Agency for Mass Education, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
A panel discussion formed a major highlight of the summit, with participants from security agencies, School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), and education officials sharing insights on practical measures to protect schools from attacks.
The event closed with a vote of thanks from Lawali Haliru Muazu, Director of Donor Agencies at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, who acknowledged the commitment of partners and participants to ensuring safe and accessible education for all children in Sokoto State.
The Annual Safe Schools Summit has become a key platform for dialogue and action, reinforcing cross-sector collaboration to protect students, teachers, and educational infrastructure in the face of rising security challenges.
