Abuja: A Public Relations Practitioner, Mrs Amina Samuel, says protecting schools is critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s human capital and achieving sustainable national development. Samuel expressed these views in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Samuel emphasized that attacks on schools not only undermine Nigeria’s future workforce but also weaken prospects for long-term development. She highlighted the need for stronger measures to protect schools, warning that insecurity threatens not just education, but also the economic growth and social stability of the country.
Samuel referenced the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State as a renewed concern about insecurity around educational institutions. She explained that the issue extends beyond immediate security concerns and affects national development, as classrooms are vital institutions where future professionals and leaders are nurtured.
She pointed out that schools play a central role in producing doctors, engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and public servants. Therefore, compromising school safety carries consequences beyond the education sector. Samuel noted that nations invest in education because human capital drives sustainable development, and infrastructure alone cannot guarantee progress without educated and skilled citizens.
Samuel also raised concerns about the impact of insecurity on parents’ confidence in schools. She emphasized that trust remains one of the most valuable assets in any educational system, with parents entrusting schools with their children, expecting them to return home safely, while teachers and students rely on a secure learning environment.
She warned that insecurity is gradually eroding confidence in the education system and called for urgent measures to tackle the menace. Samuel pointed out that parents may become reluctant to send their children to school, which could worsen educational outcomes in vulnerable communities. Teachers may also seek transfers from areas facing persistent security threats.
Highlighting the detrimental effects of fear and insecurity on effective teaching and learning, Samuel called on the government to invest more in prevention, intelligence gathering, and school safety infrastructure. She urged all education stakeholders, communities, and security agencies to prioritize school protection as a national development issue.