Kwara Polytechnic reopens Monday after six-week shutdown over NYSC camp row

The Kwara State Government has approved the reopening of Kwara State Polytechnic for academic and administrative activities from Monday, March 2, 2026, following a six-week closure sparked by violent student protests over the use of campus facilities as a temporary NYSC orientation camp.

“The Management of Kwara State Polytechnic wishes to formally inform the entire Polytechnic community that the Kwara State Government has approved the re-opening of the Polytechnic for academic and administrative work,” the statement read. “In line with this directive, the Polytechnic will resume on Monday, March 2, 2026. All staff and students are therefore urged to adhere to this directive and resume at the Polytechnic promptly on the stated date”.

The institution was shut on January 19 on the directive of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq following protests by students over the use of the campus as a temporary orientation camp for members of the National Youth Service Corps.

The Polytechnic had earlier been designated by the state government as a temporary NYSC orientation camp due to prevailing security challenges in the state. While previous batches of corps members were accommodated during periods when students were on break or yet to fully resume, the current orientation exercise coincided with full academic activities.

To ensure a smooth NYSC orientation exercise and prevent any breakdown of law and order, the management granted students a three-week break effective Monday, January 19, 2026. However, some students reportedly rejected the decision, arguing that they had only just returned from the Christmas and New Year holidays, leading to protests on campus.

The protest later turned chaotic, with security operatives intervening to disperse the students using tear gas. The action affected several students and staff, including the polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer, who sustained injuries.

Following the incident, Governor AbdulRazaq constituted a three-member committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the student protest. The Governor also directed the Rector of the Polytechnic, Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, to step aside with immediate effect pending the outcome of the investigation. The most senior Deputy Rector was directed to act as Rector in the interim.

The NYSC permanent orientation camp had been relocated from Yikpata in Edu local government to Kwara State Polytechnic due to insecurity challenges bedeviling the northern and southern parts of the state.

The management expressed appreciation to members of the Polytechnic community for their cooperation and understanding during the period of closure and looks forward to a productive and successful completion of the first semester 2025/2026 academic session.

While the report of the investigative panel has yet to be made public, many await what the fate of the suspended Rector will be as the school prepares for resumption.

The Students’ Union Government and opposition parties had criticized the handling of the protests, citing concerns over safety, welfare, and academic disruption during the volatile standoff that led to the extended closure.