The Minister of Education, Dr 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 related criminal activities.
The minister gave the directive in Abuja during a meeting with the Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Nasarawa State, describing the measure as part of renewed efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen security across tertiary institutions nationwide.
Alausa said the government would no longer tolerate criminal conduct within institutions of higher learning and stressed that discipline remains essential to preserving the integrity and credibility of tertiary education in Nigeria.
According to him, any student proven to have planned, participated in or facilitated the kidnapping of fellow students or other persons has forfeited the privilege of remaining in a tertiary institution.
“Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions,” the minister declared. “Such individuals must be dismissed.”
He explained that the directive was intended to serve both as a deterrent and as a clear signal that educational institutions must not become safe havens for criminal elements.
Beyond disciplinary measures, Alausa instructed heads of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to strengthen internal intelligence systems capable of identifying threats before they escalate.
He urged institutional authorities to deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), the police, the military and other security agencies in order to prevent criminal activities on campuses and in surrounding communities.
The minister noted that while Nigerian tertiary institutions remain relatively safe compared with many other public spaces, recent isolated incidents involving students outside campus environments have exposed vulnerabilities that require urgent attention.
“Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education are largely safe,” he said. “However, recent incidents involving students outside campuses show the need for stronger preventive measures, improved intelligence gathering and closer cooperation with security agencies.”
He emphasised that every institution has a responsibility to ensure the safety of students both within and outside campus through vigilance, effective security partnerships and prompt response to emerging threats.
Alausa warned that institutions that condone misconduct risk normalising criminal behaviour.
“If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture,” he said, adding that administrators must act decisively whenever evidence of criminal conduct emerges.
The minister disclosed that he recently held strategic discussions with the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd.), on strengthening nationwide implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative.
According to him, the Federal Government remains committed to protecting learners at all levels of education, from primary schools to tertiary institutions.
“We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education,” he said.
“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 explained that the collaboration with the Ministry of Defence is designed to improve intelligence sharing, strengthen campus security architecture and enhance protection for students and staff across the country.
Alausa also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that public institutions must not negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom.
He said payment of ransom encourages criminality, finances further attacks and undermines national security efforts.
“No public institution should negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom,” he stated. “Such actions only embolden criminal groups and encourage more attacks.”
The minister therefore urged governing councils and management teams to establish effective intelligence structures and maintain continuous engagement with security agencies in their respective states.
As part of efforts to improve security infrastructure, Alausa announced that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) would include perimeter fencing and other security-related projects in its 2027 intervention programme.
He advised eligible institutions to prepare and submit proposals promptly for consideration.
In addition to security, the minister addressed infrastructure challenges affecting tertiary institutions.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power to improve electricity supply in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
According to him, institutions requiring additional electricity capacity could benefit from expanded solar power generation systems and improved battery storage under the ongoing programme.
Alausa encouraged the Federal University of Lafia to submit formal requests under relevant intervention schemes, assuring the institution that deserving projects would receive due consideration.
He reiterated that the Federal Government remains committed to investing in safer schools, stronger institutions and modern infrastructure capable of supporting globally competitive teaching, research and innovation.
Earlier in the meeting, the Pro-Chancellor of FULafia, Dr Adebimpe Adebajo, thanked the Federal Government for its continued support for the university’s growth and development.
She identified inadequate student accommodation, electricity challenges at the institution’s second campus and insecurity as major issues requiring urgent government intervention.
Adebajo also disclosed that some students were suspected of involvement in off-campus kidnapping activities, saying preliminary information from recent incidents pointed to disturbing developments that required serious investigation.
She stressed that the university strongly opposes payment of ransom because such actions would embolden kidnappers and encourage further criminal attacks.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Kida, commended the minister for ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s education sector and strengthening tertiary institutions nationwide.
Kida appealed for the extension of the Energising Education Programme to the university’s second campus and requested additional office accommodation and increased staffing support.
The minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to work closely with security agencies, governing councils and other stakeholders to safeguard campuses across the country and ensure that tertiary institutions remain centres of learning, innovation and national development.
