TASFUED, Odogbolu LG Strengthen Partnership to Boost Campus Security After Student Attack

The Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Ijagun, and the Odogbolu Local Government have agreed to deepen collaboration to improve security within and around the university community following a recent security incident involving students.

The resolution was reached during a high-level stakeholders' meeting led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Oladipo, and the Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, Dr. Babatunde Diya. The meeting brought together the university management, student leaders, the Students' Union Government (SUG), and representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to develop practical and sustainable measures to tackle security challenges affecting the institution and its host communities.

Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Oladipo reaffirmed the university's commitment to protecting students, staff, and residents of neighbouring communities. He commended Dr. Diya for his prompt intervention and personal involvement, describing the visit as a demonstration of the local government's commitment to students' welfare and its readiness to work with the university to provide a safe environment for teaching, learning, and research.

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that TASFUED has consistently supported security agencies by providing operational vehicles, fuel, and other logistics to complement government efforts in protecting lives and property. He, however, stressed that addressing the current security situation requires stronger collaboration among government, security agencies, community leaders, and residents.

During deliberations, stakeholders identified inadequate police personnel, poor road infrastructure, insufficient street lighting, and the growing number of unregistered residents in student-populated communities as major factors contributing to insecurity around the university.

They noted that the existing police formation serving the institution is no longer adequate for a university with an estimated student population of about 40,000. Consequently, they called for the immediate upgrade of the police post to a divisional headquarters with increased personnel, improved logistics, and enhanced operational capacity.

The meeting also appealed to the Ogun State Government to accelerate the rehabilitation of roads leading to student residential areas and install solar-powered street lights at strategic locations to improve visibility and deter criminal activities.

As part of efforts to strengthen community security, participants resolved that a comprehensive profiling and registration exercise should be conducted across student-hosting communities to identify legitimate residents and flush out criminal elements.

In his remarks, Dr. Diya assured participants of the local government's commitment to working closely with the university and security agencies to implement the resolutions reached at the meeting. He also pledged to strengthen community surveillance and neighbourhood vigilance across affected communities.

The council chairman further announced that the Odogbolu Local Government would take responsibility for the hospital bills of the injured student involved in the recent security incident.

Stakeholders also emphasised the need for increased investment in on-campus accommodation through the construction of additional hostels and the expansion of the university's security infrastructure. According to them, accommodating more students within the campus would significantly reduce their exposure to risks associated with living off campus.

One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the decision to establish a joint security coordination committee comprising representatives of the university management, security agencies, the local government, Community Development Associations (CDAs), and student bodies. The committee will coordinate intelligence sharing, resident profiling, joint security patrols, and other strategic initiatives aimed at ensuring lasting peace and security within the university environment.

The meeting ended with a unanimous commitment by the Ogun State Government, Odogbolu Local Government, TASFUED, security agencies, host communities, and student representatives to sustain collaboration in building a safer and more secure environment that supports academic excellence and community development.

The Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government was accompanied by the Vice-Chairman, Hon. Victoria Olusola Adeyinka, councillors, and other senior local government officials. Also in attendance were members of the university management, the President of the TASFUED Students' Union Government, Comrade Shinayomi Ogunfowokan, the Special Adviser to the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Salako, alongside other student leaders and key stakeholders.