Kwara State Governor and Visitor to Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Tuesday ordered the immediate closure of the institution following a students’ protest over the presence of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on campus.
The directive was announced in a press statement issued by the Acting Registrar of the polytechnic, AbdulHafis Amin, on behalf of the institution’s management. The closure came after tensions escalated during a protest by students who opposed the temporary use of the polytechnic as an NYSC orientation camp.
The Kwara State Government had earlier designated the polytechnic as a temporary NYSC camp after relocating the permanent site in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area, due to security concerns linked to banditry. During the Christmas and New Year holidays, two batches of corps members had already arrived on campus and were settled into facilities earmarked for the orientation exercise.
Trouble began on Monday when students resumed from the holiday break and were reportedly informed to proceed on a three-week break to allow the NYSC orientation to continue. The directive was rejected by the students, who expressed anger over being asked to vacate the campus shortly after resumption.
The situation deteriorated when students gathered at the main gate of the institution to protest. According to reports, the protest turned violent after police officers deployed to restore order used tear gas while students attempted to force their way into the campus. During the chaos, the polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer reportedly sustained serious injuries before the students were eventually dispersed.
In its statement, the management explained that the decision to grant students a three-week break, effective January 19, 2026, was taken to prevent a breakdown of law and order and ensure the smooth conduct of the NYSC orientation camp. It noted that while previous orientation exercises coincided with student holidays or partial resumption, the current exercise overlapped with full academic activities.
The management, however, expressed regret over the turn of events, particularly the conduct of some police officers who allegedly went beyond their mandate by firing tear gas into the campus, including student hostels. This, it said, affected both students and staff members.
Following the incident, Governor AbdulRazaq directed the closure of the polytechnic as a precautionary measure to safeguard lives and property within the institution. The management appealed to students, staff, and other stakeholders to remain calm, assuring that discussions were ongoing with relevant authorities to resolve the matter quickly and peacefully.
