Education minister orders expulsion of students linked to kidnapping
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has directed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts across the country to dismiss any student found culpable, after due investigation, of involvement in kidnapping or related criminal activities.
The directive was issued during a meeting with the pro-chancellor, governing council and management of the Federal University of Lafia in Abuja, according to a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah.
Alausa also instructed heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen internal intelligence systems and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services and other security agencies to safeguard campuses and protect students.
“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,” the minister said.
He stressed that universities, polytechnics and colleges of education must not become safe havens for criminal elements, adding that government has a duty to protect citizens and preserve educational institutions as centres of learning.
While noting that campuses across the country remain largely safe, Alausa said recent isolated incidents involving students outside university premises highlighted the need for improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration with security agencies.
“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 to ensure that students are protected both within and outside our institutions,” he said.
The minister disclosed that he recently met with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), to develop a coordinated strategy aimed at strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative and improving the protection of learners nationwide.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the political will and resources to improve security while pursuing reforms in the education sector, saying the administration remains committed to ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education in a safe environment.
Alausa also reiterated the Federal Government’s policy that no government institution should negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that such payments only encourage criminal activities and undermine efforts to tackle insecurity.
He directed governing councils and heads of tertiary institutions to establish effective intelligence mechanisms, maintain close cooperation with security agencies and take decisive action against anyone who threatens the safety of students.
On infrastructure, the minister announced that the Federal Government would support security enhancement projects in tertiary institutions through the 2027 intervention programme of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, including perimeter fencing and other critical security facilities. He urged eligible institutions to submit proposals early for consideration.
Alausa also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power, saying institutions requiring additional electricity capacity could benefit from expanded solar generation and battery storage.
Earlier, the pro-chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Lola Akande, commended the minister for the Federal Government’s support to the institution while highlighting challenges including inadequate student accommodation, electricity supply to Campus 2 and insecurity.
She revealed that some students were suspected of involvement in kidnapping activities carried out off campus, adding that recent incidents pointed to such involvement. Akande maintained that the institution opposed the payment of ransom for kidnapped victims, warning that doing so would only embolden criminals.