By Ngozi Nwankwo
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has directed Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts across Nigeria to dismiss any student found culpable, after due investigation, of involvement in kidnapping or other related crimes.
Alausa also ordered the heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen internal intelligence systems and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services,DSS,and other security agencies in their respective states as part of a nationwide strategy to safeguard campuses and protect students.
The Minister gave the directive during a meeting with the Pro Chancellor, members of the Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State in his office in Abuja. The delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Dr. Mrs Adebimpe Adebajo
Discussions at the two-Hour meeting focused on campus security, infrastructure development, student welfare and the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in higher education.
While noting that Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain largely safe and secure, the Minister said recent isolated incidents involving students outside campuses underscore 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 held an extensive meeting with the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Retired) to develop a coordinated strategy aimed at strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative and enhancing the protection of learners across the country.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the political will, strategic leadership and resources required to improve national security while driving far reaching reforms in the education sector. According to the Minister, the administration remains committed to ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education in a safe and conducive learning environment.
Reaffirming President Tinubu’s directive that no government institution should negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, Dr. Alausa warned that yielding to criminal demands only emboldens criminal elements and undermines national efforts to combat insecurity.
He therefore directed governing councils and heads of tertiary institutions to establish effective internal intelligence mechanisms, sustain close collaboration with the DSS and other security agencies, and take decisive action against anyone who threatens the safety of 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. 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 stated.
Speaking on infrastructure, Alausa announced that the Federal Government will support security enhancement projects in tertiary institutions through TETFund’s 2027 intervention programme, including perimeter fencing and other critical security facilities. He encouraged eligible institutions to submit their requests early for consideration.
The Minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, explaining that institutions requiring additional electricity capacity could benefit from the expansion of existing solar infrastructure through increased generation and battery storage.
Earlier in her presentation the Pro-Chancellor of the institution Dr. Mrs Adebimpe Adebajo lauded the minister for sustained support to the institution. She highlighted some challenges facing the institution notably among which is hostle accommodation for students, power supply for in Campus 2 and insecurity.
She disclosed that some students in the institution were suspected to be involved in kidnapping activities carried out off campus pointing out that some recent kidnappings suggested so. She pointed out that the institution frowns strongly at paying ransom for the release of kidnapped victims as it would further embolden the criminals
For his part , the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Professor Mohammed Isa Kida, commended the Honourable Minister for his bold reforms and unwavering commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s education sector.
Professor Kida expressed appreciation for the Federal Government’s continued support for the university and appealed for the extension of the Energising Education Programme to the institution’s second campus. He also requested additional office accommodation and increased staffing to strengthen the university’s teaching, research and administrative capacity.
Responding, Dr. Alausa advised the university to submit formal requests under the relevant intervention programmes, assuring the Governing Council and Management that the Ministry would give due consideration to projects that meet the established requirements and align with national priorities.
The Minister reaffirmed that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will continue to invest in safer schools, stronger institutions and modern infrastructure to build a higher education system that is globally competitive, innovation driven and responsive to national development needs.
He assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Education would continue working with security agencies, governing councils and other critical stakeholders to ensure that every campus remains safe, every student is protected and every institution is empowered to deliver quality teaching, impactful research and meaningful national development.
