The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has directed Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts of tertiary institutions nationwide to dismiss any student found guilty, after due investigation, of involvement in kidnapping or related crimes.
He also instructed heads of tertiary institutions to improve internal intelligence gathering and strengthen cooperation with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to protect students on and off campus.
Alausa gave the directive on Tuesday during a meeting in Abuja with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and management of the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, led by Pro-Chancellor Lola Fibisola Akande.
He said universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain largely safe, but recent cases involving students outside campuses call for stronger intelligence and closer ties 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,” Alausa said.
He added, “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.”
The minister restated the Federal Government’s stand against negotiating with kidnappers or paying ransom, saying it could encourage criminal groups.
He said the government would fund security projects, including perimeter fencing, through the TETFund 2027 intervention programme. He also revealed plans to expand the Energising Education Programme with more solar power generation and battery storage.
