The Federal Government has directed all heads of tertiary institutions across Nigeria to immediately dismiss any student found guilty of kidnapping or related crimes, following proper investigation.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, gave the directive during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council, and management of the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, held at his office in Abuja.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, Alausa also ordered Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts to reinforce internal intelligence systems and work more closely with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in their respective states.

“If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture,” Alausa warned, adding that “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. Government has a duty to protect innocent citizens and preserve our institutions as centres of learning and excellence.”

While noting that Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education remain largely safe, Alausa said recent isolated incidents-some involving students operating off-campus, showed the urgent need for sharper intelligence gathering and better coordination with security operatives.

“We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education,” he stated.

“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.”

Alausa disclosed that he recently held detailed talks with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Retired), to design a unified plan to boost the Safe Schools Initiative and improve protection for learners nationwide.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the leadership, backing, and resources needed to strengthen security while pushing forward critical reforms in the education sector. Alausa restated the administration’s pledge to ensure every Nigerian child gets quality education in a secure, suitable environment.

Reaffirming President Tinubu’s standing order that no government body should negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, Alausa said yielding to such demands only strengthens criminals and weakens national efforts to end insecurity.

He therefore directed Governing Councils and heads of institutions to set up reliable internal intelligence structures, maintain steady liaison with the DSS and security agencies, and take firm action against anyone who threatens student safety.