The 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.
He 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.
Dr Alausa 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, Hon Lola Fibisola Akande.
According to a press statement by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser Media and Communications to the Minister on Tuesday, 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.
Dr 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.
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, Hon. Lola Fibisola Akande, lauded the minister for his sustained support to the institution. She highlighted some of the challenges facing the university, notably student hostel accommodation, power supply at Campus 2 and insecurity.
She disclosed that some students of the institution were suspected to be involved in kidnapping activities carried out off campus, pointing out that some recent kidnapping incidents suggested so.
She added that the institution strongly frowns on the payment of ransom for the release of kidnapped victims, as it would further embolden 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.
