The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts across the country to dismiss any student found guilty of kidnapping or related criminal activities after due investigation.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, gave the directive during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Lafia in Abuja.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the minister also instructed heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen internal intelligence systems and work closely with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to improve campus security nationwide.
“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. Our campuses must never become safe havens for criminal elements,” Alausa said.
The minister noted that although Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain largely safe, recent isolated incidents involving students outside campuses highlight the need for stronger intelligence gathering and closer collaboration with security agencies.
“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.
Alausa disclosed that he recently met with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), to develop a coordinated strategy aimed at strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative and improving the security of learners nationwide.
He also reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that no government institution should negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that doing so encourages criminal activities and weakens national efforts to tackle insecurity.
The minister directed governing councils and heads of tertiary institutions to establish effective intelligence mechanisms, maintain close collaboration with security agencies and take decisive action against anyone who threatens campus safety.
To further improve security infrastructure, Alausa announced that the Federal Government will support perimeter fencing and other security projects in tertiary institutions through the TETFund 2027 intervention programme. He urged eligible institutions to submit proposals early for consideration.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power, allowing institutions to increase electricity supply through expanded solar power generation and battery storage.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Lola Akande, commended the Federal Government for its continued support to the institution while highlighting challenges including inadequate hostel accommodation, power supply to Campus Two and insecurity.
She disclosed that some students were suspected of involvement in kidnapping activities carried out outside the campus, adding that the institution strongly opposes the payment of ransom, saying it only emboldens criminal groups.
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