In a landmark move to promote safe, inclusive, and climate-resilient learning environments, the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and with technical support from UNICEF, has launched three critical handbooks aimed at addressing school-related violence, climate change, and disaster preparedness. The handbooks—Climate Change Education for Schools in Nigeria, Early Warning: A Guide to Protecting Schools in Nigeria, and Managing School-Related Violence in Nigeria—were formally introduced during a dissemination and validation workshop held on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Hawthorn Suites, Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Education, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, was represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Hajiya Larai Ahmed, who described the initiative as a major milestone in enhancing the nation's education system. He noted that the handbooks, approved for nationwide use, are practical, learner-friendly tools designed to tackle pressing issues such as violence, insecurity, and climate change in schools. He applauded stakeholders, particularly UNICEF, for their unwavering support and called on educators and policymakers to fully adopt the materials as essential tools for building a safer future for Nigerian learners.
Hajiya Larai Ahmed, who also led the programme, welcomed participants to the validation meeting and emphasized the significance of the collaboration with UNICEF. She praised the technical teams behind the handbooks for their professionalism and encouraged widespread application of the content to improve safety and inclusivity in basic education.
UNICEF Education Specialist Mrs. Nneka Ogbansiegbe, representing the Chief of Education in Nigeria, Vanessa Lee, revealed that the handbooks were developed following a 2024 assessment of over 16,000 schools in 18 states. The survey showed that only 25% met national minimum safety standards, with most schools lacking disaster preparedness and violence prevention mechanisms. In response, UNICEF supported five states in conducting hazard assessments and worked with the Ministry to develop clear, action-oriented resources for educators and policymakers.
UBEC’s Deputy Director of Teacher Development, Mrs. Patience Omoniyi, represented by Assistant Chief Education Officer Mrs. Blessing Uzoamaka, reaffirmed the need for urgent and unified action to address school-based threats. She stressed that every child deserves a safe space to learn and grow.
UNICEF’s Mr. Believe Eke presented a technical overview of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools and accompanying scorecard. He highlighted threats such as insecurity and flooding, underscoring the importance of early warning systems and community preparedness. He noted that although UNICEF may not reach every school, the goal is to empower federal and state governments, especially in unity schools and vulnerable communities, to scale up implementation and ownership.
Dr. Caroline Olaitan, Principal Education Officer at the Ministry, detailed the handbook development process, which included stakeholder engagement, data analysis, pilot testing, and alignment with national policy frameworks such as the 2021 National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools. With design input from UNICEF, the handbooks were made accessible and engaging for various users, from students and teachers to administrators.
Further insights came through synopses of each handbook:
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Dr. Kayode Fagbemi discussed the Climate Change Handbook, highlighting its focus on awareness and adaptation strategies for school communities.
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Dr. Tersoo Shapera presented the Early Warning Handbook, emphasizing the importance of timely risk detection and communication.
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Dr. Myfriend Bulus elaborated on Managing Violence in Schools, stressing proactive and reactive strategies to protect both learners and educators.
The workshop closed with a strong call to action for all stakeholders to move the handbook contents from concept to implementation. The Federal Ministry of Education pledged continued collaboration, monitoring, and support to ensure every Nigerian child learns in a secure, inclusive, and climate-conscious environment.
Elijah Adeyemi
