By Ebinum Samuel
The Management of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, has intensified efforts to strengthen Campus and Community security through strategic engagements with four security agencies in the state, focusing on intelligence sharing, improved security infrastructure, personnel deployment and coordinated responses to emerging threats.
The engagements with 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) reaffirmed the University’s commitment to protecting lives and property while providing a safe and conducive environment for teaching, learning, research and community development.
Led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Samuel Oladipo, and members of the University Management, the visits provided opportunities to strengthen existing relationships, identify security challenges and explore practical measures to improve safety within the campus and its surrounding communities.
During a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Police Command, Eleweran Abeokuta, the Vice-Chancellor, commended the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, for the Command’s prompt response to reported security incidents and efforts to apprehend suspects.
Prof Oladipo stressed the importance of maintaining a strong operational relationship with the Police to facilitate timely communication, improve surveillance and ensure rapid intervention during emergencies. He also proposed the establishment of an additional Police post in another host community of the University and called on governments at all levels to improve road access around the institution and neighbouring communities to support effective security operations.
Responding, CP Ojajuni identified insufficient perimeter fencing, poor road infrastructure and the dispersal of students across surrounding communities as major challenges affecting security management around the institution.
The Commissioner disclosed that the Command was taking steps to reinforce its security presence around the University, including strengthening the existing Police post near the campus and reviewing personnel deployment to improve operational effectiveness. He 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 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command, the University delegation met with the State Commandant, Commandant Remilekun Omolade Ekundayo, at the Command Headquarters in Owu-Dekudu, Abeokuta.
Discussions centred on intelligence sharing, emergency response, security awareness and the protection of educational institutions against threats such as theft, cult-related activities, drug abuse, vandalism, unauthorised access and kidnapping.
Commandant 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.
In his remarks, Prof Oladipo explained that the engagement was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the University and the Corps while exploring additional strategies for improving campus security. He highlighted ongoing efforts to reinforce the University’s perimeter fencing, install security equipment and improve lighting at strategic locations and provision of motorcycles to assist security agencies.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the University was engaging private developers, individuals and organisations to provide additional student accommodation within the campus, noting that improved residential facilities would enhance security and facilitate the monitoring of students’ movement.
At the Ogun State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, the University delegation further reinforced its drive towards a coordinated security framework. During the visit, the agency’s Commandant, Brigadier General Alade Adedigba (rtd.), underscored the Ogun State Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups, including schools, and maintaining a secure environment that supports business activities and socio-economic development.
The State Commandant urged the University to expedite the completion of its perimeter fence, stressing the importance of adequate physical security in 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 preferred deploying its personnel to support their security needs.
In his response, Prof Oladipo appreciated the agency’s support and called for stronger collaboration to address emerging threats. He highlighted the University’s 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) infrastructure.
He also solicited continued support from Amotekun in complementing the efforts of the University’s security personnel, particularly in patrols and surveillance. Discussions further explored opportunities for security and protection training, staff development, online teaching arrangements and the use of the University’s electronic library resources to facilitate access to learning materials.
At the headquarters of the SO-SAFE Corps in Ogun State, discussions focused on intelligence sharing, community participation, operational capacity and coordinated strategies for addressing emerging security challenges.
The engagement featured the State Commander, Commander (Dr) Sola Ganzallo, and the Deputy State Commander, DCC Moruf Yusuf, alongside other officers of the SO- Safe.
Commander (Dr) Ganzallo welcomed the University’s initiative and underscored 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. They emphasised the need for improved community engagement, proactive planning and practical measures to enable security personnel to respond effectively to emerging threats.
The discussions also stressed the importance of involving traditional rulers, Community leaders and other stakeholders in identifying security risks, sharing credible information and strengthening grassroots vigilance.
The parties expressed 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 requires more than law enforcement alone. It also depends on adequate infrastructure, improved student accommodation, accessible roads, functional surveillance systems, community participation and sustained preventive measures.
The engagements further 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 Management identified the Centre for Human Rights and Gender Education (CHURGE), a Centre of the University, as a platform for collaboration in Community sensitisation, Human Rights Education, Peacebuilding, Conflict Management and Professional Security training.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo, encouraged officers and personnel across the security agencies to take advantage of the specialised academic programmes offered through CHURGE and in collaboration with the Institute of Security, Nigeria, to strengthen their professional knowledge and operational competence in response to 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.
Prof Oladipo explained that the programmes could be delivered online or through physical learning arrangements, making them accessible to security personnel and other interested participants in different locations worldwide. He noted that the initiative would provide opportunities for continuous professional development and enhance capacity in security management, intelligence gathering, criminal investigation and security consultancy.
Through these 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.
In the entourage of the Vice-Chancellor were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Adekunle Adeogun, FISN; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Rotimi Ettu; the University Librarian, Professor Adebambo Oduwole; the Director, Centre for Human Rights and Gender Education (CHURGE), Dr Yinka Adediran; the Chief Security Officer of the University, Dr Moses Ogundeji; and Dr Adewale Abiola, among others.
