Kehinde Fajobi
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, warned that Nigeria’s universities are increasingly vulnerable to becoming recruitment hubs for extremist groups and criminal organisations.
His remarks were made on Friday during a lecture at the 9th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, in Katsina State.
Represented by Kaduna’s Commissioner of Education, Prof. Muhammad Sani Bello, the governor attributed the risk to socio-economic issues affecting students, including unemployment, poverty, and limited opportunities.
Sani cited a recent case as an example: “A recent incident at FUDMA serves as a troubling example of this trend. A student was arrested by the police and found in possession of ammunition intended for criminal activities.”
He warned that this underscores the rising risk of student involvement in “violence, radical ideologies, and illegal activities.”
Sani continued, “Such developments not only endanger the lives of the students involved but also threaten the integrity of the institution and the safety of the entire academic community.
The vulnerability of students to radicalisation is a direct result of their socio-economic challenges, including frustration with the political system, disillusionment with job prospects, and exposure to extremist ideologies.”
He noted that inadequate security infrastructure compounds the problem, with many campuses lacking surveillance technology and robust safety measures, making them “easy targets for bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.”
Governor Sani also drew attention to the broader security crisis in northern Nigeria, particularly the northeast, where insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have wreaked havoc.
“The presence of these groups has destabilised the region, leading to the displacement of millions and the destruction of infrastructure, including educational institutions,” he said.
He warned of the impact on academic staff, noting a recent “brain drain” at FUDMA as some professors have left their posts or relocated abroad, citing safety concerns.