FG Orders Immediate Expulsion of Students Linked to Kidnapping

(Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education. Photo by Vanguard News)

Beyond the dismissal order, the minister instructed heads of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to establish robust internal intelligence systems and strengthen collaboration with the Department of State Services and other security agencies to forestall criminal activities on and around campuses.

The meeting, led by FULafia Pro-Chancellor, Hon. Lola Fibisola Akande, also focused on campus security, infrastructure, student welfare and the Federal Government's higher education reforms.

Declaring zero tolerance for criminality, Alausa warned that institutions that condone misconduct risk allowing it to become entrenched, stressing that tolerating bad behaviour for too long eventually turns it into a culture.

He said any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidn@pping of fellow students has no place in Nigerian tertiary institutions and must be dismissed, adding that campuses must never become safe havens for criminal elements.

He noted that while Nigerian tertiary institutions remain largely safe, recent isolated incidents involving students outside campuses call for stronger intelligence gathering and coordinated security measures, stressing a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child from primary through tertiary education, and the need to continue strengthening intelligence gathering and collaboration with security agencies to protect students both within and outside institutions.

The minister disclosed that he had recently held strategic discussions with the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, aimed at strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative and improving security across educational institutions nationwide.

Reaffirming President Bola Tinubu's directive against the payment of r@nsom, Alausa warned that negotiating with kidn@ppers only emboldens criminal networks and undermines the country's fight against insecurity.

To further strengthen campus security, he announced that TETFund's 2027 intervention programme would support security infrastructure projects in tertiary institutions, including perimeter fencing and other critical security facilities, and urged institutions to submit requests early for consideration.

On power supply, the minister reiterated the Federal Government's commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power, noting that institutions requiring additional electricity capacity could benefit through expanded solar infrastructure, increased power generation and battery storage.

Earlier, FULafia Pro-Chancellor, Hon. Lola Fibisola Akande, commended the Federal Government for its continued support to the university, but identified inadequate hostel accommodation, power supply challenges at Campus II and insecurity as major concerns.

She disclosed that some students were suspected to have been involved in kidn@pping activities carried out off-campus, noting that recent incidents pointed in that direction, and maintained that the university strongly opposes the payment of r@nsom, insisting it only encourages criminality.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Isa Kida, praised the minister's reforms and appealed for the extension of the Energising Education Programme to the institution's second campus, alongside additional office accommodation and increased staffing to strengthen teaching, research and administration.

Responding, Alausa advised the university to submit formal proposals under the relevant intervention programmes, assuring the institution that requests meeting the required criteria and national priorities would receive due consideration.

He reaffirmed the Tinubu administration's commitment to investing in safer schools, modern infrastructure and stronger institutions, stressing that government would continue working with security agencies, governing councils and other stakeholders to ensure Nigerian campuses remain secure and conducive for learning.