ABUJA — The Federal Government has issued a sweeping directive mandating the immediate expulsion of any tertiary institution student found guilty of involvement in kidnapping or related criminal activities, as part of a major security overhaul across Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Education Minister Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, delivered the instruction during a high-level meeting with governing council members and management of Federal University, Lafia, in his Abuja office on Tuesday, signalling an uncompromising stance against criminal elements infiltrating academic institutions.
The two-hour session with the delegation, led by Pro-Chancellor Dr Mrs Adebimpe Adebajo, covered campus security, infrastructure upgrades and student welfare as part of ongoing higher education reforms championed by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
While acknowledging that Nigeria’s tertiary institutions remain largely secure, Dr Alausa warned that recent isolated cases involving students off-campus demonstrated an urgent need for enhanced intelligence gathering and closer collaboration with security agencies.
“We share a duty to safeguard every Nigerian child, from primary to tertiary level,” the Minister declared. “Our campuses are largely safe, but we must keep improving intelligence gathering and partner closely with security agencies to ensure students are protected both on and off campus.”
The directive requires Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts nationwide to upgrade their internal intelligence structures and work more closely with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security bodies in their respective states as part of a comprehensive national plan to secure campuses and shield students from criminal elements.
Dr Alausa revealed he had recently held detailed discussions with Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (retd) to design a joint strategy strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative and improving protection for learners across the country.
The Minister reiterated President Tinubu’s instruction that no government institution should negotiate with or pay ransom to abductors, warning that capitulating to criminal demands only emboldens offenders and undermines national security efforts.
“If we allow misconduct to linger, it becomes the norm,” Dr Alausa stated firmly. “Any student who, after due investigation, is found to have planned or taken part in kidnapping fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions. Such persons must be expelled. Campuses must never turn into hideouts for criminals.”
The Minister directed governing councils and institutional heads to establish effective internal intelligence units, maintain close cooperation with security agencies, and act decisively against anyone endangering student safety.
In a significant infrastructure development, Dr Alausa announced that the Federal Government would support security upgrade projects in tertiary institutions through TETFund’s 2027 intervention cycle, including perimeter fencing and other critical security facilities. Eligible institutions were urged to submit proposals early for consideration.
The Government also reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power, with institutions facing electricity challenges eligible for expanded solar systems through increased power generation and battery storage.
Earlier, Pro-Chancellor Dr Mrs Adebimpe Adebajo praised the Minister’s consistent support while highlighting challenges facing Federal University Lafia, including inadequate student hostel accommodation, power supply issues at Campus 2, and insecurity concerns.
She disclosed that some students of the institution were suspected of involvement in off-campus kidnapping operations, citing recent abductions as evidence, and emphasised the university’s strong opposition to ransom payments.
Vice Chancellor Professor Mohammed Isa Kida commended the Minister’s bold reforms and steadfast commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s education sector, while requesting extension of the Energising Education Programme to the university’s second campus and additional office accommodation and staff.
Dr Alausa advised the university to forward formal requests under appropriate intervention windows, assuring that the Ministry would review projects meeting requirements and aligning with national priorities.
The Minister reaffirmed that under President Tinubu’s leadership, the Federal Government would continue investing in safer schools, stronger institutions and modern infrastructure to build a higher education system that is globally competitive, innovation-driven and responsive to national development.
He assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Education would continue working with security agencies, governing councils and other key stakeholders to keep every campus safe, protect every student, and empower every institution to deliver quality teaching, impactful research and meaningful national progress.
