By Our Correspondent
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commenced a major capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening security management across tertiary institutions in Nigeria, with the training of 600 Chief Security Officers (CSOs) drawn from institutions across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, declared open the four-day specialised workshop on Campus Security Management (CSM) in Abuja on Tuesday, describing the initiative as a strategic response to emerging security threats confronting Nigeria’s higher education institutions.
The workshop is being organised by the NSCDC in collaboration with the International Academy for Gender and Peace (IAGP) and with the support of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The initiative brings together CSOs from tertiary institutions nationwide with the objective of equipping them with contemporary skills and knowledge required to identify, prevent and effectively respond to security threats within academic environments.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prof. Audi expressed concern over the growing incidence of security challenges capable of disrupting academic activities and threatening the safety of students, lecturers, administrative staff and other members of the university and college communities.
He identified cultism, violent extremism, kidnapping, gender-based violence, cybercrime, drug abuse and campus unrest, among others, as emerging threats that require coordinated and proactive security measures.
According to him, security challenges in tertiary institutions should not be treated as isolated incidents, stressing that some individuals who later become involved in serious criminal activities, including banditry and kidnapping, may have initiated or developed criminal tendencies while within academic environments.
The NSCDC boss therefore urged participants to take the training seriously and apply the knowledge gained to strengthen security structures within their respective institutions.
He charged the CSOs to remain vigilant and proactive, while continually updating their knowledge and skills to keep pace with changing security threats.
Audi emphasised that effective campus security goes beyond responding to incidents after they occur, noting the importance of early warning, intelligence gathering, risk assessment, prevention and rapid response.
He also reminded the participants of the need to strike a balance between maintaining security and respecting the fundamental rights of members of the academic community.
The Commandant General urged the CSOs to demonstrate professionalism, integrity and commitment in the discharge of their responsibilities, particularly in protecting lives and property and ensuring that tertiary institutions remain conducive environments for teaching, learning and research.
The Course Director and President of the International Academy for Gender and Peace, Prof. Frederick Terhemba Tyoor, said the workshop was designed to re-tool campus security personnel with the knowledge and practical skills required to reduce vulnerabilities within tertiary institutions.
Prof. Tyoor said the growing complexity of security threats made it imperative for institutions to move away from largely reactive approaches towards preventive and intelligence-driven security management.
He stressed the importance of effective intelligence generation and utilisation, saying security personnel must be able to identify warning signs and act appropriately before threats escalate into full-blown incidents.
According to him, the ability to anticipate security challenges would help reduce fear among students and staff while creating an environment where academic activities can take place without unnecessary disruptions.
Representing the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sunny Echono, PhD, Dr. Yusuf Gamawa reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to initiatives designed to promote safe and conducive learning environments across the country’s tertiary institutions.
He underscored the importance of collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions and other stakeholders in addressing security challenges in the education sector.
A goodwill message was also delivered by Prof. Bilyaminu Suleiman Muhammed, Professor of Demography and Industrial Sociology at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
The four-day workshop features presentations and practical sessions facilitated by experts drawn from academia and various security agencies.
The organisers said the training would expose the participating CSOs to contemporary approaches to campus security management and equip them to better identify vulnerabilities, manage emerging threats and strengthen security coordination within their institutions.
The initiative is expected to contribute to the development of a more effective and coordinated security framework for tertiary institutions, particularly at a time when educational institutions are increasingly confronted with diverse forms of crime and social insecurity.
With 600 security officers participating from institutions across the country, the NSCDC-TETFund partnership represents a significant effort to build institutional capacity and promote safer academic environments.
The organisers expressed the expectation that participants would return to their respective institutions with improved competencies in intelligence gathering, threat assessment, prevention and response, thereby helping to protect students, staff and institutional assets while safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
