Assessment of Campus Security Measures and Student Safety at Tertiary Institutions in Niger State

Security in Nigerian tertiary institutions has become an urgent concern following increased incidents of assault, cult violence, sexual harassment, and theft on campuses, and evaluating the adequacy of current security provisions in Niger State institutions provides important baseline data for institutional security policy. This study assessed campus security measures and their effectiveness in ensuring student safety at three tertiary institutions in Minna and Bida, Niger State, North Central Nigeria. A mixed-methods design was adopted, with security facility assessment checklists applied at each campus alongside structured questionnaires administered to 300 students. Security dimensions assessed included perimeter security, surveillance systems, security personnel training, lighting, emergency response protocols, and student safety communication. Results showed that only one of three assessed campuses maintained functional CCTV systems. Security personnel had received formal training at only one institution. Night-time lighting was rated as adequate by only 36.7 percent of respondents. Sexual harassment on campus had been experienced or witnessed by 48.3 percent of female respondents in the preceding academic year. Only 27 percent of students knew how to contact campus security emergency services. Formal campus security policies existed at two of three institutions but were rated as poorly communicated by 71.3 percent of students. The study recommends mandatory security audits, CCTV installation, sexual violence response protocols, and student safety literacy campaigns at all Niger State tertiary institutions.

Keywords: campus security, student safety, tertiary institutions, Niger State, institutional security