As school fire and other related safety concerns reaches record highs in schools across Nigeria, new research has revealed a dire shortage of essential safety devices and infrastructure across tertiary institutions in Nigeria, significantly hindering the administrative effectiveness of these schools. For instance, according to data from the Nigerian Fire Service, in the 12-month period from August 2022 to August 2023, there were a total of 72 reported fire incidents in schools and universities across Nigeria. The findings were published in the International Journal of Education & Applied Sciences Research, a peer-reviewed journal and also in the Journal of Education in Developing Areas,(JEDA),31(3) October 2023 Special Edition, Part 2 of the 2023 Conference Papers of the Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt. (
The study, conducted by Dr Sokpuwu Austin , a school and public safety researcher, who is also a STEM educator, surveyed 1,810 academic and non-teaching staff members from the three public universities in the region.
The findings paint a concerning picture of the safety conditions plaguing these institutions.
“Our research found that only a handful of basic safety devices, such as caution signs, suitable sanitation facilities, and emergency hotlines, were available on these campuses,” said Dr. Sokpuwu Austin, the lead researcher. “This lack of proper safety provisions is not only a concern for the wellbeing of students and staff, but it also significantly impacts the overall administrative effectiveness of these universities.” This study show that this challenge emerges as a school workforce challenge, and so there is a need for a more well-rounded approach to addressing the effects of scarcity of school safety devices in the classroom and staff offices.
The study identified several key challenges contributing to the dearth of safety measures. Chief among them were chronic underfunding, with low budgetary allocations for safety infrastructure, as well as the absence of dedicated safety subject matter experts within the universities. This has important implications for the current educational landscape.
“Without the proper funding and specialized personnel to implement and maintain critical safety measures, these institutions are left vulnerable,” He noted. “This is a problem that requires urgent attention, especially in light of the post-COVID-19 realities that have heightened the need for comprehensive safety protocols in educational settings.” Dr Sokpuwu Austin emphasized that school safety devices when installed and effectively utilised in schools and offices including public places remains a veritable tools for ensuring safe learning and working environment. Addressing the dearth of these safety devices is critical not only for improving student outcomes, but also for bolstering the school workforce, which faces a host of challenges.”
Stakeholders, including university management, government agencies, and safety consultants, have called for the development of a nationwide, education-based safety policy that can address the unique needs and challenges faced by tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“The safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff should be the top priority,” said Dr Sokpuwu. “We all should be committed to working with all relevant parties to find solutions that will enhance the safety infrastructure and, in turn, improve the overall administrative effectiveness of our institutions.”
As the Nigerian government and educational authorities grapple with these pressing concerns, the researchers hope that this study will serve as a wake-up call to address the glaring safety deficiencies plaguing the country’s tertiary institutions.
More of Dr Austin Sokpuwu’s research and study citation can be found in google scholat researchgate
