Nigeria's tertiary institutions are meant to be centres of learning, innovation and character building. Increasingly, however, many campuses and their surrounding communities have become theatres of robbery, cult violence, kidnapping and other violent crimes. Students now pursue academic excellence under the shadow of fear, while parents worry whether their children will return home safely after lectures.
The growing insecurity in students' hostels, off-campus residences and access roads has become a national emergency. It deserves urgent attention from governments, school authorities, security agencies, host communities and students themselves.
The recent killing of a final-year student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, during an early morning robbery once again exposed the dangerous security gaps around many tertiary institutions. The tragedy sparked outrage and renewed calls for decisive action to protect students.
Sadly, the incident at D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic is not an isolated case. Reports of attacks on students have emerged from several higher institutions across the country, including kidnapping of eight students of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Sapade, and the Federal University of Technology, Nasarawa, among others. These incidents paint a disturbing picture of a worsening security crisis.
Many students residing outside campus are easy targets because they occupy poorly secured hostels located in isolated neighbourhoods. Criminals exploit weak security architecture, poor street lighting and the absence of regular security patrols.
Off-campus accommodation has become increasingly attractive because of inadequate hostel spaces provided by institutions. Consequently, thousands of students are forced into private hostels where security standards are often poor or completely nonexistent.
The situation is compounded by the proliferation of illegal hostels operated without government regulation. Many lack perimeter fencing, security personnel, emergency exits and proper documentation of occupants.
Equally troubling is the poor relationship between some institutions and neighbouring communities. Criminals often operate within these communities with little fear of arrest because intelligence gathering remains weak.
The absence of functional surveillance systems also emboldens criminals. Many campuses and adjoining roads have no CCTV cameras capable of assisting investigations or deterring attacks.
Security personnel deployed to some institutions are grossly inadequate. A handful of security officers cannot effectively protect thousands of students spread across expansive campuses and surrounding hostels.
Poor road infrastructure also contributes to insecurity. Darkness caused by broken streetlights and abandoned roads provides cover for criminals who attack students returning from lectures or libraries.
Governments have often responded with promises after every tragedy, but sustained action is rarely seen. Such reactive measures cannot solve a problem that requires long-term planning and investment.
Institutional authorities must equally accept responsibility. Security should not end at the campus gate while students remain exposed in nearby communities officially recognised by the schools as student residential areas.
Parents also have roles to play. They should prioritise safe accommodation for their children rather than choosing hostels solely because they are cheaper.
Student unions should move beyond protests after attacks. They must establish structured security committees that regularly engage management, police and host community leaders on emerging threats.
Traditional rulers and community development associations should also become active partners in protecting students. Criminals often hide within host communities and can only be effectively identified through local intelligence.
The Nigeria Police Force must strengthen community policing around tertiary institutions. Regular patrols during early morning and late-night hours would significantly reduce attacks on students.
State governments should establish dedicated security task forces for education corridors where multiple institutions are located. Such arrangements have proven effective in protecting vulnerable communities elsewhere.
Technology must become an integral part of campus security. CCTV cameras, emergency call centres, panic buttons and digital incident reporting platforms should no longer be regarded as luxuries.
Hostel owners must also be subjected to strict licensing requirements. Compliance with minimum security standards should be mandatory before any facility is approved to accommodate students.
Furthermore, institutions should maintain verified databases of approved hostels and discourage students from occupying unsafe residences located in isolated areas.
Cultism and drug abuse remain major contributors to violence within campuses. Authorities must intensify awareness campaigns while ensuring swift prosecution of offenders to deter others.
Funding remains a challenge, but security cannot be sacrificed. Governments should recognise that investment in campus safety is an investment in national development because education thrives only in secure environments.
The repeated loss of promising young Nigerians to avoidable violence is unacceptable. Every student killed represents shattered dreams, grieving families and a painful setback for national progress.
The Federal Government, state governments and governing councils of tertiary institutions must therefore treat campus security as a priority deserving immediate and sustained intervention.
Nigeria cannot continue to celebrate educational advancement while students live in constant fear. Safe campuses are not privileges but fundamental requirements for quality education. The time for endless condolences has passed; the time for decisive action is now.
The Way Forward
Federal and state governments should increase funding specifically for campus security infrastructure.
Institutions should construct more on-campus hostels to reduce dependence on unsafe private accommodation.
Mandatory accreditation and periodic inspection of all private student hostels should be enforced.
Install CCTV cameras, solar-powered streetlights and emergency alarm systems within campuses and surrounding student communities.
Establish permanent police posts and rapid-response units around tertiary institutions.
Increase routine security patrols, particularly during night and early morning hours.
Create emergency hotlines dedicated to students.
Strengthen collaboration among school authorities, police, vigilante groups and host communities.
Encourage intelligence sharing through confidential student reporting channels.
Student unions should participate actively in campus security committees.
Improve road infrastructure and lighting around campuses.
Enforce strict sanctions against cultism, armed robbery and violent crimes.
Introduce compulsory security awareness programmes for fresh students.
Encourage landlords to employ trained security personnel and install access-control systems.
Governments should periodically review and monitor security measures in all tertiary institutions to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
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