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By Christopher Oji
The management of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, has strengthened its security partnerships with four security agencies to combat crime and improve safety on campus and in surrounding communities.
The engagements focused on intelligence sharing, improved security infrastructure, personnel deployment and coordinated responses to emerging threats.
The agencies are the Ogun State Police Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) and the State Security Outfit (SO-SAFE Corps).
The engagements reaffirmed the university’s commitment to protecting lives and property while creating a safe and conducive environment for teaching, learning, research and community development.
Led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Oladipo, the university management used the visits to strengthen existing relationships, identify security challenges and explore practical measures to improve safety within the institution and its host communities.
During a visit to the Ogun State Police Command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, Oladipo commended the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, for the command’s prompt response to security incidents and efforts to apprehend suspects.
The vice-chancellor stressed the need for a stronger operational relationship with the police to facilitate timely communication, improve surveillance and ensure rapid intervention during emergencies.
He proposed the establishment of an additional police post in another host community and appealed to governments at all levels to improve road access around the university and neighbouring communities to facilitate effective security operations.
Responding, Ojajuni identified inadequate perimeter fencing, poor road infrastructure and the dispersal of students across surrounding communities as major challenges to security management.
He disclosed that the command was taking steps to strengthen its presence around the institution, including reinforcing the existing police post near the campus and reviewing personnel deployment to improve operational effectiveness.
The commissioner assured the university management of the command’s continued commitment to addressing security concerns through sustained cooperation with the institution and its host communities.
At the Ogun State Command of the NSCDC, the delegation met with the State Commandant, Commandant Remilekun Omolade Ekundayo, at the corps’ headquarters in Owu-Dekudu, Abeokuta.
Discussions centred on intelligence sharing, emergency response, security awareness and the protection of educational institutions against threats, including theft, cult-related activities, drug abuse, vandalism, unauthorised access and kidnapping.
Ekundayo emphasised the need for proactive security planning, credible intelligence, timely reporting and sustained collaboration among security agencies, university authorities and host communities.
She reaffirmed the corps’ readiness to work with the university to identify security vulnerabilities and develop effective measures to prevent and manage security incidents.
Oladipo said the engagement was aimed at strengthening cooperation with the corps and exploring additional strategies to improve campus security.
He highlighted the university’s efforts to reinforce its perimeter fencing, install security equipment, improve lighting at strategic locations and provide motorcycles to assist security agencies in their operations.
The VC also disclosed that the institution was engaging private developers, individuals and organisations to provide additional student accommodation on campus, noting that improved residential facilities would enhance security and facilitate the monitoring of students’ movements.
At the Ogun State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, the delegation further explored ways to strengthen a coordinated security framework.
The agency’s Commandant, Brig.-Gen. Alade Adedigba (retd.), reaffirmed the Ogun State Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups, including schools, and maintaining a secure environment for business activities and socio-economic development.
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Adedigba urged the university to expedite the completion of its perimeter fence, stressing that adequate physical security was essential to safeguarding educational institutions.
He assured the university of the agency’s continued support, explaining that Amotekun’s operations covered schools across the state and that the agency was willing to deploy personnel to support their security needs.
In his response, Oladipo appreciated the agency’s support and called for stronger collaboration to address emerging threats.
He outlined existing security measures, including collaboration with local vigilante groups, the provision of security gadgets, improved lighting in surrounding communities and the deployment of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems.
He also sought Amotekun’s continued assistance in complementing the university’s security personnel, particularly in patrols and surveillance.
The discussions further explored opportunities for security and protection training, staff development, online teaching arrangements and access to the university’s electronic library resources.
At the headquarters of the SO-SAFE Corps in Ogun State, discussions focused on intelligence sharing, community participation, operational capacity and coordinated strategies for tackling emerging security challenges.
The delegation met with the State Commander, Commander (Dr.) Sola Ganzallo, and the Deputy State Commander, DCC Moruf Yusuf, alongside other officers of the corps.
Ganzallo welcomed the university’s initiative, emphasising the importance of sustained cooperation among security agencies, educational institutions and community stakeholders in maintaining peace and protecting lives and property.
The engagement highlighted operational difficulties associated with responding to security incidents in communities with difficult terrain and poorly accessible roads. Participants stressed the need for improved community engagement, proactive planning and practical measures to enable security personnel to respond more effectively to threats.
They also underscored the importance of involving traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders in identifying security risks, sharing credible information and strengthening grassroots vigilance.
Both parties expressed their readiness to sustain cooperation through regular communication, joint engagements and capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving community security and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Across the four engagements, the university management emphasised that effective security extends beyond law enforcement to include adequate infrastructure, improved student accommodation, accessible roads, functional surveillance systems, community participation and sustained preventive measures.
The engagements reinforced the shared understanding that security is a collective responsibility requiring the active participation of university authorities, students, staff, host communities and relevant government agencies.
As part of its broader commitment to security capacity development, the university 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 officers and personnel of the security agencies to take advantage of specialised academic programmes offered through CHURGE in collaboration with the Institute of Security, Nigeria, to strengthen their professional knowledge and operational competence in tackling emerging security challenges and technological advancements.
The programmes include the Diploma in Security Operations and Management, Advanced Diploma in Security Operations and Management, Advanced Specialist Security Consultancy Studies, Postgraduate Diploma in Security Science Management, and Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Science, Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Studies.
According to the vice-chancellor, the programmes can be delivered online or through physical learning arrangements, making them accessible to security personnel and other interested participants in different parts of the world.
He said the initiative would provide opportunities for continuous professional development while strengthening participants’ capacity in security management, intelligence gathering, criminal investigation and security consultancy.
Through the strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, TASFUED reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening institutional security, promoting peaceful coexistence and protecting members of the university community while advancing its mandate of academic excellence.
