FG orders varsities to expel students involved in kidnapping, criminal activities

The Federal Government has drawn a hard line against criminality in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, directing universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to expel students found guilty of kidnapping or related crimes after proper investigation.

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa issued the directive on Tuesday, warning that Nigerian campuses must not become breeding grounds or safe havens for criminal elements.

Alausa gave the order during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, governing council and management of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) at his office in Abuja.

He told vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts that any student established through due process to have planned or participated in the kidnapping of fellow students should immediately lose their place in the institution.

“If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture,” the minister said.

“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.”

Institutions ordered to strengthen intelligence

The directive goes beyond expulsion.

Alausa instructed heads of tertiary institutions to establish stronger internal intelligence mechanisms capable of detecting criminal activities before they escalate.

He also called for closer collaboration between school authorities, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to improve intelligence gathering and prevent criminal activity both within campuses and in surrounding communities.

FG directs tertiary institutions to expel students linked to kidnapping

The minister acknowledged that Nigerian tertiary institutions remain largely safe but said isolated incidents involving students outside campus environments showed the need for a more coordinated security response.

For him, preventing criminality requires institutions to identify warning signs early rather than waiting until students or staff become victims.

FULafia meeting examines wider reforms

The meeting with the Federal University of Lafia leadership, led by its Pro-Chancellor, Hon. Lola Fibisola Akande, also covered broader issues affecting the institution and the higher education sector.

Campus security, infrastructure, student welfare and the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in tertiary education were among the issues discussed.

But the minister's strongest message centred on criminality.

Alausa warned that tolerating misconduct for too long could transform isolated acts into an institutional culture.

His directive therefore places a clear responsibility on university, polytechnic and college authorities: investigate allegations properly, work with security agencies and ensure students proven to be involved in serious crimes do not remain within the tertiary education system.

The government's position is that campuses should remain places for learning, research and innovation — not environments where kidnapping and other criminal activities can take root.