Kwara Shuts Polytechnic After NYSC Camp Dispute Triggers Unrest
The Kwara State Government on Tuesday ordered the immediate closure of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, following protests by students over the use of the campus as a temporary National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp—a move that authorities say escalated into security breaches, injuries, and widespread disorder.
The directive, issued by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, was aimed at preventing further breakdown of law and order and safeguarding lives and property within the institution after tensions flared during demonstrations against the arrangement.
Confirming the closure, the Acting Registrar of the polytechnic, AbdulHafis Amin, said in a statement that the decision became unavoidable as protests intensified and security operatives were forced to intervene.
According to the management, the institution had 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 hosted during periods when students were not fully on campus, the current exercise coincided with ongoing 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,” the statement read.
However, the decision reportedly met resistance from some students who argued that they had only just resumed from the Christmas and New Year holidays and were unprepared for another academic interruption. What began as a protest soon degenerated, prompting the involvement of security personnel.
The polytechnic management disclosed that police officers invited to restore calm allegedly exceeded their mandate by firing tear gas canisters into the campus, including student hostels. “The action affected several students and staff, including the polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer, who sustained injuries,” the statement added.
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) condemned the security response, maintaining that the protest was peaceful. In a statement signed by SUG President, Maruf Ibrahim ‘Analysis’, the union said students were demonstrating against the conversion of the campus into an NYSC camp over concerns bordering on safety, welfare, and disruption of academic activities.
Eyewitnesses said the situation worsened when security operatives allegedly fired gunshots to disperse the crowd, triggering panic as several students reportedly collapsed and sustained injuries.
Videos circulating on social media showed a heavy security presence on campus and students fleeing the scene.
The incident has also drawn political reactions. The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the response as excessive and accused the state government of poor planning. In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, the party said students have a constitutional right to peaceful protest.
“The decision to convert an academic institution into a makeshift NYSC camp without proper consultation is reckless. It is unacceptable that students protesting peacefully were met with tear gas and live ammunition,” the PDP said, calling for an independent investigation into the conduct of the officers involved and a public apology from the state government.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The closure of the polytechnic has reignited debate over emergency security arrangements and their impact on academic environments, with stakeholders urging dialogue and long-term solutions that balance public safety with the protection of students’ welfare and learning schedules.
