The Kwara State Government has ordered the closure of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, following unrest on campus over plans to use the institution as a temporary orientation camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq issued the directive as tensions rose on campus, with police stepping in to maintain order and protect lives and properties.
In a statement, the Acting Registrar, AbdulHafis Aminl, said the Polytechnic had been designated by the state government as a temporary NYSC orientation camp due to prevailing security challenges in the State.
The management explained that students were on break during the first orientation exercise, while academic activities had not fully resumed during the second.
However, students were fully in session during the ongoing orientation exercise.
To prevent a breakdown of law and order, the management said it approved a three- week break for students from Monday, January 19, 2026 to allow for the smooth conduct of the NYSC camp.
The statement said the decision was met with resistance from some students, who protested on the grounds that they had only recently resumed from the Christmas and New Year break.
The protest created tension at the institution’s main gate, prompting police intervention.
The management alleged that although police officers were initially deployed to disperse the crowd, some exceeded their mandate by firing tear gas canisters into the Polytechnic premises, including student hostels.
The incident reportedly affected several students and staff, while the institution’s Chief Security Officer sustained injuries during the incident.
“In view of the development, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of the State, Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, has directed the closure of the Polytechnic to ensure the safety of lives and property of the entire Polytechnic community,” the statement said.
The management appealed to students, staff and other stakeholders to remain calm, assuring that efforts are ongoing to engage relevant authorities to resolve the situation.
