The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is considering a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with a view to providing a more solid security in the nation’s tertiary institutions, in line with the Safe School initiative of the Federal Government. Executive Secretary of the Fund, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono stated this when the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audu paid him a courtesy call in Abuja. He stressed further that education and security in the country are now in critical need of each other and stakeholders must synchronize and collaborate to derive needed success in combating the security challenges facing the sector, adding that strategies for security, especially on prevention and apprehension happens behind closed doors. According to the TETFund Boss, the Fund is already in discuss with stakeholders and considering the prospect of a security masterplan for tertiary institutions, noting that the visit opens a window of opportunity to partner with the Corps. He disclosed further that the Fund and the NSCDC will work towards developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train security personnels in tertiary institutions nationwide by leveraging on the Security Agency’s nationwide deployment capacity to support the institutions. He however emphasized that such move will be within the limit of what is permitted by the mandate and ecosystem of the Fund. Speaking further, Echono said “On research, we are happy how it is serving as a tool guiding your operations and interventions. As you are aware, we are a major stakeholder in this regard and encourage research on all aspects. Hence, we are open to collaboration.” Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commandant disclosed that the visit to the Fund is the first of its kind since the establishment of the Security Agency, while applauding the indelible mark of TETFund and its leadership, since inception. “We are here for a courtesy/familiarisation tour to see how we can work together. As you are aware, we came into light in 2003 and became a full-fledged paramilitary service, but we have since transformed into an elite force by leveraging on research to improve and deepen our operations. “Our job is; protection of critical infrastructure in the country such as your office, as well as tertiary institutions across the federation. According to our research, schools have porous security structures, which led to our integration into the safe-school-initiative of Federal Government,” the Commandant stated. Speaking further, the Security Boss disclosed that research by the Corps has revealed that cartels who were previously into oil theft have transitioned to illegal mining, providing another layer to the multifaceted nature of the country’s insecurity. In tackling this, he intimated that the NSCDC created the Mining Marshals, which led to the successful closure of over 600 illegal mining sites.