The Federal Government has directed all universities across Nigeria to immediately expel any student found guilty of kidnapping, describing the crime as a grave threat to national security and the integrity of the country’s higher education system. The directive was issued by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who said tertiary institutions must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to violent crimes involving students.

Alausa said universities have a responsibility to maintain safe learning environments and must ensure that students convicted of kidnapping are permanently removed from their institutions. He stressed that campuses should never become safe havens for criminal elements, adding that stronger collaboration between university authorities and security agencies is essential to identify and prosecute offenders. The minister urged vice-chancellors and governing councils to strictly enforce the directive in line with institutional regulations and national laws.

The minister’s directive comes amid growing concerns over the involvement of some undergraduates in kidnapping and other violent crimes, as well as a series of recent abduction cases involving students across the country. The Federal Government said the measure forms part of broader efforts to restore discipline in tertiary institutions and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s education system while supporting ongoing national security initiatives.

Education stakeholders have described the move as a strong warning against criminality within campuses, although they stressed that disciplinary action should always follow due legal process and established court convictions. The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting students, improving campus security and ensuring that universities remain centres of learning rather than breeding grounds for violent crime.