The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts of tertiary institutions across the country to expel any student found guilty of involvement in kidnapping or other related criminal activities after due investigation.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, gave the directive on Tuesday during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and management of the Federal University of Lafia in Abuja.
Alausa also instructed heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen intelligence gathering on campuses and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services and other security agencies to improve the safety of students.
He said although universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remained largely secure, recent incidents involving students outside campuses underscored the need for stronger surveillance and security cooperation.
The minister stressed that students who engage in criminal activities, particularly kidnapping of fellow students, should not be allowed to remain in higher institutions.
“We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education. Campuses remain relatively safe, but we must strengthen intelligence and work closely with security agencies to ensure students are protected both within and outside our institutions,” he said.
He added that any student found culpable, after a thorough investigation, of planning or participating in kidnapping should be dismissed, warning that tolerating misconduct could encourage a culture of criminality.
Alausa reiterated the Federal Government's opposition to ransom payments, saying negotiating with kidnappers only emboldens criminal elements and fuels insecurity.
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government would support security infrastructure in tertiary institutions through the 2027 Tertiary Education Trust Fund intervention, including the construction of perimeter fencing to enhance campus security.
He also announced plans to expand the Energising Education Programme by increasing solar power generation and battery storage facilities across higher institutions.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Lola Fibisola Akande, informed the minister that some students of the institution were suspected of involvement in off-campus kidnapping activities. She also identified inadequate hostel accommodation, electricity supply and insecurity as major challenges confronting the university.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Isa Kida, commended the ongoing reforms in the education sector and appealed to the Federal Government to extend the Energising Education Programme to the university's second campus.
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