By Rosemary Ogbonna
Federal Government has directed vice chancellors, rectors and provosts to dismiss any student found culpable of involvement in kidnapping or related crimes after due investigation.
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, gave the directive on Monday during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and Management of Federal University of Lafia in Abuja.
He also ordered heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen internal intelligence and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies to safeguard campuses nationwide.
Alausa said while Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain largely safe, recent isolated incidents involving students outside campuses necessitate stronger intelligence gathering.
“We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education. 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.
The Minister reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that no government institution should negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that yielding to criminal demands emboldens perpetrators.
Alausa disclosed that he recently met with the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), to develop a coordinated strategy to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative.
He announced that TETFund’s 2027 intervention programme will support security projects in tertiary institutions, including perimeter fencing and other critical facilities. Institutions were urged to submit requests early.
On power, the Minister said the Federal Government will expand the Energising Education Programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Power to provide additional solar generation and battery storage for institutions.
Pro-Chancellor of FULafia, Dr (Mrs) Adebimpe Adebajo, lauded the Ministry’s support and highlighted challenges including student accommodation, power supply at Campus 2, and insecurity.
She disclosed that some students are suspected of involvement in off-campus kidnapping, adding that the institution frowns at ransom payment as it emboldens criminals.
Vice Chancellor, Prof Mohammed Isa Kida, commended the Minister’s reforms and appealed for the extension of the Energising Education Programme to the university’s second campus, as well as more office accommodation and staff.
Alausa advised the university to submit formal requests under relevant intervention programmes for consideration.
He assured that under Tinubu, government will continue to invest in safer schools, stronger institutions and modern infrastructure to build a globally competitive higher education system.