FG Orders Varsities To Expel Students Involved In Kidnapping

The federal government has directed heads of tertiary institutions across the country to dismiss any student found culpable of kidnapping after due investigation.

Key Highlights:

• FG orders dismissal of students found guilty of kidnapping.
• Institutions must strengthen security with the DSS and other agencies.
• Government says it will not negotiate with or pay kidnappers.
• TETFund will support campus security projects in 2027.
• FG also plans to expand solar power for tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, gave the directive on Monday in Abuja, during a meeting with the pro-chancellor, governing council and management of the Federal University of Lafia, led by the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Lola Akande.

Alausa directed vice chancellors, rectors and provosts to strengthen internal intelligence gathering and collaborate closely with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in their respective states.

He said the measure is necessary to safeguard students both within and outside campuses, noting that although Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain largely safe, isolated incidents involving students have heightened security concerns.

The minister said the government has a collective responsibility to protect Nigerian children from primary to tertiary levels.

“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,” Alausa said.

He disclosed that he had met with the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), to develop a coordinated strategy for strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative nationwide.

Alausa also commended President Bola Tinubu for providing leadership and resources for security and education reforms, stressing that the federal government would not negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom.

He warned that tolerating criminal behaviour could allow it to become entrenched within educational institutions.

“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,” he said.

On infrastructure, Alausa said the federal government would support security projects in tertiary institutions through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s 2027 intervention programme.

He listed perimeter fencing and other critical security facilities among projects that could receive funding, urging eligible institutions to submit their requests early.

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The minister also announced plans to expand the energising education programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Power to provide more solar power, battery storage and generation capacity for tertiary institutions.

He advised the Federal University of Lafia management to formally submit its requests under the relevant intervention programmes for consideration.

Alausa reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration would continue investing in safer schools and modern infrastructure to develop a globally competitive and innovation-driven higher education system.

Earlier, Akande commended the minister for his support for the institution but highlighted challenges including hostel accommodation, power supply at the university’s Campus 2 and insecurity.

She disclosed that some students of the university were suspected to be involved in off-campus kidnappings, stressing that the institution does not support ransom payments because such payments embolden criminals.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Isa Kida, thanked the federal government for its support and appealed for the extension of the energising education programme to the university’s second campus.

He also requested additional office accommodation and more staff to strengthen teaching, research and administrative activities.