- Odibo Victory
The Federal Government has ordered vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts to dismiss any student found culpable of kidnapping or related crimes after due investigation.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, gave the directive during a meeting with the Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) in Abuja.
He said the directive formed part of renewed efforts to strengthen security across tertiary institutions in the country.
Alausa also directed heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen internal intelligence mechanisms and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to prevent criminal activities on campuses.
He said although universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria remained largely safe, recent isolated incidents involving students outside campuses required stronger preventive measures and improved intelligence gathering.
According to him, every institution has a responsibility to ensure students remain safe within and outside campuses through effective security partnerships, vigilance and prompt response to emerging threats.
The minister warned institutions against condoning criminality, saying, “If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture.”
He stressed that discipline remained essential to preserving the integrity of tertiary education.
“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,” Alausa said.
The minister disclosed that he recently held strategic discussions with the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd.), to strengthen nationwide implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative.
“We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the collaboration is aimed at improving protection for learners, enhancing intelligence sharing and reinforcing security architecture across educational institutions nationwide.
Alausa commended President Bola Tinubu for providing political support, strategic leadership and resources toward improving national security while implementing reforms in the education sector.
He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that no public institution should negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom, saying such actions only embolden criminality and undermine security efforts.
The minister urged governing councils and managements of tertiary institutions to establish effective intelligence structures capable of detecting threats early while maintaining constant engagement with security agencies in their respective states.
He announced that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) 2027 intervention would support perimeter fencing and other security infrastructure, urging eligible institutions to submit proposals promptly for consideration.
Alausa 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 tertiary institutions.
He explained that institutions requiring additional electricity capacity could benefit from expanded solar generation systems and improved battery storage under the ongoing programme.
The minister advised the university to submit formal requests under relevant intervention programmes, assuring the institution that deserving projects would receive due consideration.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to investing in safer schools, stronger institutions and modern infrastructure capable of supporting globally competitive teaching, research and innovation.
Alausa assured Nigerians that the ministry would continue collaborating with security agencies and other stakeholders to safeguard campuses across the country.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Dr Adebimpe Adebajo, thanked the Federal Government for its sustained support for the institution’s growth and development.
She identified shortage of student accommodation, electricity challenges at the university’s second campus and insecurity as major issues requiring urgent government intervention.
Adebajo disclosed that some students were suspected of involvement in off-campus kidnapping activities, adding that information from recent incidents pointed to such disturbing developments.
She said the institution strongly opposed the payment of ransom to kidnappers because it would embolden criminal groups and encourage further attacks.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Kida, commended the minister for reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s education sector and strengthening tertiary institutions nationwide.
Kida appealed for the extension of the Energising Education Programme to the university’s second campus, as well as additional office accommodation and increased staffing support.