Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, TASFUED, Ogun State, has sought increased police presence, improved road access and stronger security infrastructure to address safety concerns affecting its campus and surrounding communities.
The university made the requests during engagements with the Ogun State Police Command and three other security agencies, focusing on intelligence sharing, personnel deployment, surveillance and coordinated responses to emerging threats.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Oladipo, led the university management on visits to the Police Command, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Ogun State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, and the State Security Outfit, SO-SAFE Corps.
During the visit to the Police Command at Eleweran, Abeokuta, Oladipo commended the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, for responding to reported security incidents and efforts to apprehend suspects.
He called for an additional police post in another host community of the university, as well as improved roads around the institution to facilitate security patrols and emergency response.
Responding, Ojajuni identified inadequate perimeter fencing, poor road infrastructure and the dispersal of students across surrounding communities as challenges to effective security management.
He said the Command was taking steps to strengthen the existing police post near the university and review personnel deployment to improve operational effectiveness.
At the Ogun State NSCDC Command Headquarters in Owu-Dekudu, Abeokuta, discussions focused on preventing theft, cult-related activities, drug abuse, vandalism, unauthorised access and kidnapping.
The State Commandant, Remilekun Omolade Ekundayo, stressed the importance of credible intelligence, timely reporting, security awareness and cooperation between the university, security agencies and host communities.
Oladipo said the university was working to strengthen perimeter fencing, install security equipment and improve lighting at strategic locations. He also disclosed plans to engage private developers and other partners to provide additional student accommodation within the campus, saying improved residential facilities could help enhance security and monitoring of students’ movements.
During the engagement with Amotekun, the agency’s Commandant, retired Brigadier General Alade Adedigba, urged the university to expedite the completion of its perimeter fence and reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to support security operations around educational institutions.
Oladipo said the university had introduced measures including collaboration with local vigilante groups, provision of security gadgets, improved lighting in surrounding communities and deployment of closed-circuit television infrastructure.
He also sought Amotekun’s support for patrols and surveillance, while discussions explored security training, staff development and possible academic support for personnel through the university’s electronic library and online learning arrangements.
At the SO-SAFE Corps headquarters, State Commander Dr Sola Ganzallo and other officers discussed intelligence sharing, community participation and operational difficulties arising from difficult terrain and poorly accessible roads.
The parties stressed the need to involve traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders in identifying security risks, sharing credible information and strengthening grassroots vigilance.
Across the four engagements, the university management emphasised that improving security would require more than law enforcement, pointing to the need for accessible roads, adequate accommodation, functional surveillance systems, infrastructure development and community participation.
The university also identified its Centre for Human Rights and Gender Education (CHURGE) as a platform for collaboration in community sensitisation, human rights education, peacebuilding, conflict management and professional security training.
Oladipo encouraged security personnel to pursue specialised programmes offered through CHURGE in collaboration with the Institute of Security, Nigeria. The courses include security operations and management, security consultancy, forensic science, criminal investigations and intelligence studies.
He said the programmes could be delivered online or through physical learning arrangements to support professional development and strengthen personnel capacity in security management and investigations.
The university said it would continue working with security agencies and host communities to improve safety, protect lives and property, and provide a conducive environment for teaching, learning and research.
Members of the delegation included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Adekunle Adeogun; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Rotimi Ettu; University Librarian, Prof. Adebambo Oduwole; CHURGE Director, Dr. Yinka Adediran; and Chief Security Officer, Dr. Moses Ogundeji.