Student protest: Gov Abdulrazaq orders Kwara poly rector to step aside

… sets up probe panel
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state has directed the rector of the state polytechnic, Kwara poly, Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, to step aside from his role following Tuesday’s students’ protest over disagreement on continued use of the institution for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation programme.

In a statement by the state commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, on Wednesday, Governor Abdulrazaq also announced a three-person panel to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the recent student protest at the state polytechnic.

The statement said that the state Attorney General and the Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Ibrahim Sulyman, head the committee.

Other members are the Commissioner for Environment Hon. Nafisat Buge and the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, Dr. Mrs Mercy Olufunke Shittu.

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It also said that the committee has two weeks to submit its report to the governor, while their terms of reference are: (1) to look at the remote and immediate causes of the protest and handling of the same; (2) recommend ways to prevent such things in the future; (3) make further recommendations on the growth of the school.

“The governor has meanwhile directed the Rector of the Polytechnic, Engineer Dr Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, to immediately step aside from his role until further notice, while the most senior Deputy Rector acts in his place in the interim.

“The committee will engage with all relevant stakeholders on its assignment,” it said.

Governor Abdulrazaq had on Tuesday directed the closure of the school over a protest by some students and to ensure safety of lives and property

Tribune Online gathered that students of the Kwara Poly protested over disagreement with the school authorities on continued use of the school for the NYSC orientation course.

It was learnt that the management of the school had granted students a three-week break effective Monday, January 19, 2026 to facilitate successful conduct of the NYSC orientation camp as a way to manage the situation and prevent any breach of law and order.

However, some students reacted negatively to the directive, on the ground that they just resumed from Christmas/New year break.

The development resulted in tension that necessitated police intervention. The police were initially tasked with dispersing the crowd at the Polytechnic’s main gate.

Unfortunately, some officers went beyond their mandate by throwing tear gas canisters into the Polytechnic premises, including student hostels.

This action adversely affected several students and staff, including Polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer, who sustained injury.

In a statement by the acting registrar of the school, AbdulHafis Amin, on behalf of the management, recalled that the State Government had earlier designated Kwarapoly as the temporary orientation camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) due to prevailing security challenges in the State.

“During the first camp exercise, students were on break, and during the second, students had not fully resumed. However, for the current exercise, students are fully in session.

“To manage the situation and prevent any breach of law and order, the management granted students a three-week break effective Monday, 19th January, 2026, to facilitate the successful conduct of the NYSC orientation camp.

“Regrettably, some students reacted negatively to this directive, on the grounds that they just resumed from Christmas/New Year break.

“This resulted in tension that necessitated police intervention. The police were initially tasked with dispersing the crowd at the Polytechnic’s main gate.

“Unfortunately, some officers went beyond their mandate by throwing tear gas canisters into the Polytechnic premises, including student hostels.

“This action adversely affected several students and staff, including Polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer, who sustained injury.

“Consequently, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of the State, Mall. Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq has directed the closure of the Polytechnic to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the entire Polytechnic community.

“The management, therefore, calls on all students, staff, and stakeholders to remain calm and cooperative as we continue to engage with the relevant authorities to resolve this matter amicably and swiftly,” the statement read.