By Our Correspondent

National News – The Student Wing of the Northern Youth Frontiers has raised alarm over worsening insecurity around tertiary institutions in Northern Nigeria.

The group warned that repeated bandit attacks and kidnappings are threatening education, student safety and academic progress across the region.

The concern was raised during an emergency congress held in Abuja.

The meeting involved student leaders, youth stakeholders and campus representatives from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In a communiqué signed by National Coordinator Ibrahim Bello and Secretary-General Hauwa Abdulaziz, the students urged President Bola Tinubu to strengthen security around universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The group said many campuses and nearby student communities remain vulnerable to attacks by armed bandits and kidnappers.

According to the students, fear and insecurity are affecting learning and disrupting academic activities.

The congress called for increased funding for the Safe Schools Initiative.

It also demanded round-the-clock military and police patrols around campuses, student residential areas and key transit routes.

The students explained that insecurity has heightened anxiety among parents, lecturers and students.

They added that the crisis is discouraging school enrolment in several affected communities across Northern Nigeria.

Despite the security concerns, the group praised the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund initiative.

The students described the programme as a major relief for struggling students facing rising tuition and living costs.

According to the communiqué, more than N72bn has reportedly been disbursed directly to students as monthly upkeep support.

It also stated that over 1.3 million students have registered through the NELFUND portal in 2026.

The student body commended NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr for supporting access to higher education.

The group, however, warned that insecurity could undermine the benefits of the student loan programme if urgent action is not taken.

Education stakeholders have repeatedly cautioned that growing insecurity in Northern Nigeria may worsen the region’s out-of-school children crisis and weaken access to quality education.