The governor has also approved the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the circumstances of the protest and the role of the polytechnic’s management.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has suspended the Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, following a student protest that disrupted academic activities at the institution.
The governor has also approved the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the circumstances of the protest and the role of the polytechnic’s management.
The decision was announced in a statement on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu.
The committee is chaired by the Kwara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Senior Ibrahim Sulyman. Other members include the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nafisat Buge, and the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, Dr. Mrs. Mercy Olufunke Shittu.
The panel has been given two weeks to submit its findings to the governor.
Its mandate is to examine the causes of the protest, evaluate the institution’s response, identify management lapses, and make recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The committee is also expected to propose measures for improving the administration, stability, and growth of the polytechnic.
As an immediate measure, Governor AbdulRazaq ordered the rector to step aside, while the most senior Deputy Rector will serve as acting head of the institution until the investigation is completed.
The committee is expected to engage with all relevant stakeholders to restore calm and ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
The protest occurred after students blocked the main gate of the polytechnic to prevent newly deployed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from entering the campus. The corps members had been relocated from the Yipkata Permanent Orientation Camp due to rising insecurity in Kwara North.
During the protest, Nigerian police reportedly fired tear gas to disperse the students, despite their demonstration being largely peaceful.
Students raised concerns over safety, overcrowding, and the disruption of academic activities, arguing that the polytechnic was not equipped to host an NYSC orientation camp while classes were ongoing.
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