Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has highlighted Nigeria’s institutions of higher learning as potential recruitment grounds for extremist and criminal groups, pointing to recent incidents involving students.
Sani made this assertion during the 9th convocation of the Federal University, Dutsinma (FUDMA) in Katsina State, where he addressed attendees as a guest lecturer, represented by Kaduna State’s Commissioner of Education, Prof. Muhammad Sani Bello.
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Reflecting on security challenges, Sani underscored how issues like unemployment, poverty, and limited opportunities have left many students vulnerable to extremist ideologies. “A recent incident at FUDMA serves as a troubling example,” he said.
“A student was arrested by the police and found in possession of ammunition intended for criminal activities. This incident underscores the increasing risk of students being drawn into violence, radical ideologies, and illegal activities.”
Sani noted that these developments threaten not only the individuals involved but also the broader academic community. He explained that “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He also pointed to inadequate infrastructure in universities as a key issue, noting that poor campus security, outdated facilities, and a lack of surveillance make educational institutions targets for criminal groups. While groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP are concentrated in Nigeria’s northeast, Sani noted that their influence is felt nationwide, destabilizing regions and impacting institutions.
“Insecurity surrounding tertiary institutions has also resulted in brain drain,” he added, noting that several professors at FUDMA have resigned or relocated for safety. “The high-risk environment has led many senior academics to either seek opportunities abroad or move to safer parts of the country,” Sani explained.
The governor’s remarks emphasize the need for enhanced security measures, improved infrastructure, and opportunities for students to address the socio-economic factors fueling radicalisation in Nigeria’s universities.
