By Felix Khanoba
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have outlined priority areas for collaboration aimed at improving security across tertiary institutions in the country.
The agencies reached the understanding during a meeting in Abuja, where discussions centred on building a strong inter-agency framework to enhance safety on campuses nationwide.
Key proposals from the engagement include joint training programmes for private security personnel deployed to campuses, support for NSCDC training institutions and research initiatives, as well as broader measures to strengthen security within Nigeria’s education sector by reinforcing the link between education and national security.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to TETFund on Thursday, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said that although attacks on schools had declined in recent years, sustained support from stakeholders was still required to fully address the problem.
Audi underscored the statutory responsibility of the Corps within Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that the NSCDC is mandated to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, including educational institutions.
He called on TETFund to assist in upgrading the Corps’ six training institutions, with particular emphasis on the College of Security Management in Abeokuta, to strengthen capacity building, career advancement and world-class professional development for officers.
The NSCDC boss rejected claims that sufficient progress had already been made in safeguarding schools, insisting that security threats had not been completely eliminated.
Reflecting on the history of attacks on educational institutions, Audi said incidents were especially prevalent in the early 2000s, a development that led to the introduction of the Safe School Initiative following international engagement and funding efforts.
He explained that the initiative gained renewed momentum after the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, which resulted in more coordinated security interventions.
“Recently, the attacks have significantly reduced, though there are still pockets of incidents, which are being brought under control. The Corps views school security as a whole-of-society responsibility, requiring the active involvement of security agencies, regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission, educational institutions, host communities and traditional rulers,” he said.
Audi also drew attention to structural challenges facing school security, citing survey findings which showed that of more than 81,000 schools nationwide, over 60,000 lack perimeter fencing or security personnel.
He noted that with an NSCDC workforce of about 63,000 personnel, it would be unrealistic to deploy officers to every school without broader collaboration.
“That reality is why we emphasise a whole-of-society approach,” he said, adding that the Corps continues to work closely with other security agencies and stakeholders to prevent and contain threats before they escalate.
In his response, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, praised the NSCDC for its contributions to national security in partnership with other agencies.
Echono reaffirmed TETFund’s readiness to collaborate with the Corps and provide support for initiatives aimed at strengthening safety and security within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
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