Kwara Poly announces resumption for March 2 after shutdown over students protest

……fate of suspended Rector still unknown

Academic and administrative activities are set to resume at Kwara State Polytechnic following the approval of its reopening by the Kwara State Government.

This was contained in an official statement dated February 26, 2026, issued by the office of the Registrar and signed by Halimat Garba, Director of Information Division.

It would be recalled that the institution was shut down in January following a protest by some of its students over the usage of the school facilities as NYSC camp and the declaration of a three-week holiday given by the institution due to the reopening of camp for NYSC.

According to the statement released on Thursday evening, the resumption takes effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.

“All staff and students have been urged to comply with the directive and return to campus promptly on the stated date” the statement added

The management expressed appreciation to members of the Polytechnic community for their cooperation and understanding during the period of closure.

It also conveyed optimism about a productive and successful completion of the first semester of the 2025/2026 academic session.

Background

Kwara State polytechnic was closed down in January following a peaceful protest by the students over the usage of the school facilities as a temporary NYSC camp and the declaration of a three weeks holiday given by the management of institution due to the reopening of camp for NYSC.

In the video shared by The Informant247 TV, some students, who were seen carrying placards to express their inconveniences about the the decision of the management during the protest were attacked with tear gas by the security operatives, who were trying to disperse them.

However, the state government
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, would later constitute a three-member committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the recent student protest at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

The panel was chaired by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Senior Ibrahim Sulyman. Other members of the committee are the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nafisat Buge, and the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, Dr. Mrs Mercy Olufunke Shittu.

While the committee was given two weeks to submit its report , Governor AbdulRazaq 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 statement added that the most senior Deputy Rector will act as Rector in the interim.

It would be recalled that the NYSC permanent orietation camp was relocated from Yikpata in Edu local government of Kwara State to Kwara State polytechnic due to insecurity challenges bedevilling the north and southern part of the State.

While the report of the panel set up by the governor is yet to be made public, many also awaits what the fate of the former Rector who was asked to step aside pending the conclusion of the investigation would likely be as the school set for resumption.