Growing security concerns in parts of Niger State have forced the management of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, to cancel a planned academic field trip to New Bussa and relocate the exercise to a safer location within Kano State.
The decision followed mounting anxiety among parents and stakeholders over the safety of more than 30 Level 400 Fisheries students scheduled to embark on the eight-week mandatory field exercise outside the state.
The university management explained that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Musa Yakasai, had already declined approval for the trip after reviewing security reports concerning the proposed destination.
In a statement released by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Affairs, Abdullahi Datti Abdullahi, the institution stated that the safety and welfare of students remained a top priority in all academic activities organised by the university.
According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor had raised concerns about the security situation in New Bussa long before public apprehension intensified.
“When the idea of going to New Bussa in Niger State came up, the Vice Chancellor, who was already aware of the security situations in the area, had long ago rejected the trip,” the statement disclosed.
Following the cancellation, the management directed the Department of Fisheries to immediately source for a safer alternative venue that would still meet the academic requirements of the practical exercise.
After consultations, Tiga Dam in Kano State was selected as the new location for the mandatory training programme.
“The students are now going to Tiga Dam in Kano for the mandatory exercise,” the university stated.
The institution reassured parents and guardians that there was no plan to expose students to unsafe environments amid the worsening insecurity affecting several parts of the country.
“The university management never jokes with students’ safety and welfare within and off campus,” Abdullahi added.
The clarification came amid growing fears among families over reports of kidnappings, bandit attacks, and violent crimes in some northern states, especially along routes frequently used for interstate travel.
Many parents had reportedly opposed the proposed trip to Niger State, insisting that the prevailing security challenges made such movement risky for students.
Education stakeholders have continued to stress the need for institutions to prioritise safety while organising excursions, industrial training, and fieldwork activities requiring students to travel outside their campuses.
Analysts say the decision by the university reflects increasing caution among tertiary institutions as insecurity continues to influence academic planning and student-related activities across Nigeria.
Despite the relocation, the university maintained that the field exercise remains an important component of the Fisheries programme, designed to expose students to practical experiences necessary for their professional development.
The management also assured students that adequate arrangements had been put in place to ensure the success of the exercise at the new location while maintaining strict safety measures throughout the programme.
