The Federal Government has directed vice chancellors, rectors and provosts of tertiary institutions across Nigeria to immediately dismiss any student found culpable, after due investigation, of involvement in kidnapping or related criminal activities.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, gave the directive during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Nasarawa State, at his office in Abuja on Tuesday.
The delegation was led by the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Hon. Lola Fibisola Akande.
Dr. Alausa 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 as part of efforts to improve campus security nationwide.
He said although Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain largely safe, recent isolated incidents involving students outside campuses underscore the need for enhanced intelligence gathering and closer security collaboration.
“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,” the minister said.
He disclosed that he had recently met with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), to develop a coordinated strategy aimed at strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative and enhancing the protection of learners across the country.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s policy that no government institution should negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that such actions only encourage criminal activities and undermine efforts to tackle insecurity.
“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,” he said.
On infrastructure, Dr. Alausa announced that security enhancement projects, including perimeter fencing and other critical facilities, would be supported under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) 2027 intervention programme.
He urged eligible institutions to submit proposals early for consideration.
He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power to improve electricity supply in tertiary institutions through expanded solar infrastructure and battery storage.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Hon. Akande, commended the minister for his continued support for the institution while highlighting challenges confronting the university, including inadequate hostel accommodation, power supply to its second campus and insecurity.
She disclosed that some students were suspected of involvement in kidnapping activities carried out off campus, adding that recent incidents pointed to such involvement. She stressed that the university strongly opposed the payment of ransom to secure the release of kidnapped victims.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Isa Kida, also praised the minister for his reforms in the education sector and appealed for the extension of the Energising Education Programme to the university’s second campus.
He further requested additional office accommodation and increased staffing to strengthen the institution’s teaching, research and administrative capacity.
Responding, Dr. Alausa advised the university to submit formal requests under the relevant intervention programmes, assuring the management that projects meeting established requirements and national priorities would receive due consideration.
The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to investing in safer schools, stronger institutions and modern infrastructure to build a globally competitive higher education system capable of driving innovation and national development.
