Across universities and tertiary institutions in Nigeria, reports of insecurity have continued to rise, with students becoming frequent victims of theft, armed robbery, assault, and, in some tragic cases, death. As the spate of violence spreads, students across campuses are voicing growing concerns over their safety and wellbeing.
At the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), multiple robbery incidents have recently been reported in the students’ community. In April 2025, unidentified armed men stormed off-campus lodges around the Oye and Ayegbaju areas. Several students lost laptops, mobile phones, and other valuables in the attacks, prompting online outcries and renewed calls for security intervention in student-populated areas.
A similar incident occurred earlier in the year at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, when students residing in Under G area were subjected to a terrifying night-time robbery. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants moved from room to room, carting away phones, laptops, and cash. Many students sustained injuries while attempting to escape or resist the robbers.
The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) was not spared. In March 2025, a male student was reportedly stabbed to death during a botched robbery near the university’s gate. The killing shocked the institution’s community and led to a temporary shutdown of student activities in protest against rising crime near campus boundaries.
At Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), the atmosphere was sombre in February 2025 when a student lost his life in a hit-and-run accident near the university gate. Students alleged the poor state of internal roads and lack of speed control measures contributed to the tragic death. The incident sparked a protest demanding safer transport systems within and around the campus.
From North to South, students in different institutions share similar harrowing experiences. A student of Auchi Polytechnic, who identified himself as “Joker,”
According to Joker, he had stepped outside to use his phone, unaware that the hostel gate had been left unlocked. “I saw a shadow approaching but heard no footsteps. When I turned to ask who it was, the person shot me directly in the stomach. I fell and watched him pick up my phone and walk out quickly,” he narrated.
Despite his loud cries for help, no student initially came to his rescue. “People were locking their doors in fear,” he added. It took him over 30 minutes to get to the hospital, as commercial motorcycle riders refused to carry him due to the nature of the case. He eventually spent nine days in the hospital.
In recent times, insecurity around campus environments has also affected female students. In some universities, there have been reported cases of sexual assault during robberies, leading to trauma and withdrawal from academic activities. Advocacy groups have called for better lighting, security patrols, and the establishment of safe zones within and around campuses.
The management of institutions like FUOYE and LAUTECH have responded by increasing internal security patrols and collaborating with local police. However, many students insist that these measures remain largely reactive and insufficient in deterring criminals who target student communities.
Student Union leaders across the country have continued to demand more proactive efforts. In an earlier statement, the Students’ Union Government of LAUTECH called for “joint surveillance involving students, school security units, and local vigilantes” to keep vulnerable lodges safe.
Observers have pointed out that many institutions lack perimeter fencing, functional CCTV coverage, and proper street lighting in student-hosting neighborhoods. These lapses have created fertile ground for attacks, especially at night. Students in poorly policed areas often resort to self-help measures like early curfews, group movements, and phone tracking apps.
Some students have called on the federal and state governments to prioritize security funding for tertiary institutions. They argue that safety is a prerequisite for learning, and institutions should not be left to handle such serious challenges alone.
In addition to insecurity from robbery and road mishaps, students have also faced issues related to cult-related violence, abductions, and police brutality in some parts of the country. In 2024, a student in Benue State University was allegedly shot during a confrontation between rival cult groups near the school gate.
To address this multi-layered crisis, education rights organizations have proposed a nationwide campus safety audit. They recommend independent assessments of all higher institutions to identify vulnerable areas, followed by the deployment of resources to fix them.
The Nigeria Education News urges the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Education, under the supervision of Dr. Tunji Alausa, to liaise with security agencies in establishing a dedicated student protection framework. This should include the development of a real-time emergency response network that connects directly with law enforcement and campus security units nationwide.
Meanwhile, survivors like Joker have continued to deal with long-term physical and psychological trauma. “Since that day, I don’t trust anyone wearing a cross bag at night,” he said, describing how his experience reshaped his sense of safety and trust.
As another academic session is set to begin soon in many Nigerian universities, students, parents, and stakeholders remain hopeful that concrete actions will be taken to improve security across learning environments. Until then, the harrowing experiences of past victims continue to echo as warnings, urging authorities to act decisively before more lives and futures are jeopardized.
