NYSC relocation saga: Gov AbdulRazaq orders Kwara poly rector to step down, sets panel to probe students’ protest

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the recent student protest at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

The development was disclosed in a statement signed on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu.

According to the statement, the panel is 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.

The committee has been given two weeks to submit its report to the Governor.

Its terms of reference include investigating the remote and immediate causes of the protest and how it was handled, recommending measures to prevent a recurrence, and making further recommendations aimed at the growth and development of the Polytechnic.

Meanwhile, Governor AbdulRazaq has 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.

The committee is also expected to engage with all relevant stakeholders in the course of carrying out its assignment.

The Informant247 earlier gathered that the management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, had reacted to the circumstances surrounding the recent tension on campus that led to police intervention and the eventual closure of the institution.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Registrar, AbdulHafis Amin, the Polytechnic said the unrest was linked to the institution’s designation by the Kwara State Government as a temporary orientation camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) due to prevailing security challenges in the state.

According to the statement, previous NYSC orientation exercises held at the Polytechnic did not disrupt academic activities because students were either on break or had not fully resumed. However, the ongoing exercise coincided with full academic session, necessitating special arrangements.

“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,” the statement said.

The management noted that some students reacted negatively to the decision, citing their recent return from the Christmas and New Year break, which led to rising tension at the institution’s main gate.

“The situation 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,” the statement added.

The action, according to the management, affected several students and staff members, including the Polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer, who sustained injuries during the incident.
Following the development, the statement disclosed that the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, directed the immediate closure of the Polytechnic to safeguard lives and property within the campus community.

“The Management therefore call 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,” Amin said.

The Informant247 had earlier reported how students protested the three weeks holiday given to the 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 were attacked with tear gas by the security operatives, who were trying to disperse the large crowd.