Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state, on Tuesday, directed the closure of the State Polytechnic (Kwarapoly) Ilorin, over protests by some students of the institution, and to ensure the safety of lives and property.

Tribune Online gathered that students of Kwarapoly protested over disagreement with the school authorities on the continued use of the school for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation course.

It was also learnt that the management of the school had granted students a three-week break, effective Monday, January 19, 2026, to facilitate the successful conduct of the NYSC orientation camp as a way to manage the situation and prevent any breach of law and order.

However, some students reacted negatively to the directive on the grounds that they just resumed from the Christmas/New Year break.

The development resulted in tension that 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.

This action adversely affected several students and staff, including Polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer, who sustained injury.

In a statement by the acting registrar of the school, AbdulHafis Amin, on behalf of the management, recalled that the State Government had earlier designated Kwarapoly as the temporary orientation camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) due to prevailing security challenges in the State.

“During the first camp exercise, students were on break, and during the second, students had not fully resumed. However, for the current exercise, students are fully in session.

“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.

“Regrettably, some students reacted negatively to this directive, on the grounds that they just resumed from Christmas/New Year break.

“This resulted in tension that 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.

“This action adversely affected several students and staff, including Polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer, who sustained injury.

“Consequently, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of the State, Mall. Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, has directed the closure of the Polytechnic to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the entire Polytechnic community.

“The management, therefore, calls 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”. (Nigerian Tribune)

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