By Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has partnered with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the International Academy for Gender and Peace (IAGP) to strengthen security management across tertiary institutions in the country.
The partnership was unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday, 1 September, 2026, as NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, opened a four-day specialised workshop on Campus Security Management (CSM) for 600 Chief Security Officers (CSOs) drawn from tertiary institutions across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Audi said the initiative had become necessary amid growing security threats confronting campuses, including cultism, violent extremism, kidnapping, gender-based violence, cybercrime, drug abuse and campus unrest.
He warned that the security challenges affecting the wider society were increasingly finding their way into academic environments, stressing that some individuals who later became involved in serious crimes such as banditry and kidnapping had begun their criminal activities while on campuses.
The NSCDC boss therefore charged the participating CSOs to adopt proactive approaches to campus security and continuously update their knowledge to meet emerging threats.
He urged them to remain vigilant and committed to protecting lives and property while respecting the fundamental human rights of students and staff.
The Course Director and President of IAGP, Prof. Frederick Tyoor, said the workshop was designed to re-tool campus security personnel with modern skills for identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they develop into major security incidents.
Tyoor emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering and effective utilisation of security information, saying proactive intelligence could help neutralise threats before they materialise.
Representing TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sunny Echono, Dr. Yusuf Gamawa reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to initiatives aimed at creating safe and conducive learning environments in tertiary institutions.
A goodwill message was also delivered by Prof. Bilyaminu Muhammed, Professor of Demography and Industrial Sociology at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
The four-day workshop brings together experts from academia and security agencies to train participants on contemporary approaches to campus security management.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the capacity of Chief Security Officers to anticipate, prevent and respond effectively to security threats across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
