…Directs institutions to strengthen campus intelligence, partner DSS
…Promises TETFund-backed security infrastructure in 2027
Daud Olatunji
The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts of tertiary institutions across the country to immediately expel any student found guilty of kidnapping or related criminal offences after due investigation.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, gave the directive during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council members and management of the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, in Abuja.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said the directive forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen security across tertiary institutions and protect students.
Alausa also instructed heads of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to establish stronger internal intelligence systems and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services and other security agencies.
According to him, institutions must not tolerate criminal behaviour among students.
“If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture. Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions. Such individuals must be dismissed,” the minister said.
He added, “Our campuses must never become safe havens for criminal elements. Government has a duty to protect innocent citizens and preserve our institutions as centres of learning and excellence.”
The minister noted that although Nigeria’s tertiary institutions remain largely safe, recent isolated incidents involving students outside campuses highlighted the need for improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration with security agencies.
He said the Federal Government remained committed to ensuring the safety of learners from primary to tertiary levels.
“We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child. While our campuses remain safe, we must continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and work closely with our security agencies to ensure that students are protected both within and outside our institutions,” Alausa said.
The minister disclosed that he recently met with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), to develop a coordinated strategy aimed at strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative and improving security for learners nationwide.
He also reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that government institutions must not negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that such actions only embolden criminal groups.
Alausa further announced that the Federal Government would support security enhancement projects in tertiary institutions through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s 2027 intervention programme.
According to him, the intervention will cover perimeter fencing and other critical security infrastructure, urging eligible institutions to submit requests early.
The minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power to improve electricity supply in higher institutions through expanded solar power infrastructure and battery storage systems.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Prof. Lola Akande, identified insecurity, inadequate hostel accommodation and poor power supply at the institution’s second campus as some of the university’s major challenges.
She also disclosed that some students of the institution were suspected to have been involved in kidnapping activities carried out outside the campus, stressing that the university remained opposed to the payment of ransom to secure the release of victims.
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