The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts of tertiary institutions across the country to dismiss any student found culpable of kidnapping or related criminal activities after due investigation.
Gatekeepers News reports that Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, issued the directive during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) in Abuja.
He also instructed heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen internal intelligence systems and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to enhance campus security.
According to Alausa, the directive followed concerns over reports that some students were allegedly involved in kidnapping operations carried out outside their campuses, stressing that higher institutions must not become breeding grounds for criminal activities.
“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,” the minister said.
While maintaining that universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country remain largely safe, Alausa said recent isolated incidents involving students outside campus highlighted the need for stronger intelligence gathering and closer cooperation with security agencies.
The minister disclosed that he recently met with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), to develop a coordinated strategy for strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative and improving the protection of students nationwide.
Alausa also reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that government institutions must neither negotiate with nor pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that such actions only encourage criminal groups and weaken efforts to combat insecurity.
Beyond disciplinary measures, he directed governing councils and managements of tertiary institutions to establish effective internal intelligence mechanisms, maintain close collaboration with the DSS and other security agencies, and respond swiftly to threats against students and staff.
The minister further announced that the Federal Government would support security improvement projects in tertiary institutions through the 2027 intervention programme of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The projects will include perimeter fencing and other critical security infrastructure, while institutions have been advised to submit proposals early for consideration.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power to improve electricity supply to tertiary institutions through additional solar power generation and battery storage.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Lola Akande, commended the Federal Government for its support but identified student accommodation, electricity supply to the university’s second campus and insecurity as major challenges facing the institution.
She revealed that some students of the university were suspected of involvement in kidnapping activities outside the campus, adding that the institution strongly opposed the payment of ransom because it would only fuel further criminality.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Mohammed Isa Kida, also commended the minister’s ongoing reforms in the education sector and appealed for the extension of the Energising Education Programme to the institution’s second campus, as well as additional office accommodation and staffing support.
