Kwara State Polytechnic Shuts Down Amidst NYSC Camp Unrest

The Kwara State Government has ordered the closure of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, following unrest that broke out on campus over the use of the institution as a temporary orientation camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The directive was issued by Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq for protection of lives and property after tensions escalated and police intervened. In a statement by the Acting Registrar, AbdulHafis Aminl, the Polytechnic management said the State Government had earlier designated the institution as a temporary NYSC orientation camp due to prevailing security challenges in the State. It explained that during the first orientation exercise, students were on break, while during the second, academic activities had not fully resumed. However, for the ongoing exercise, students were fully in session. To prevent a breakdown of law and order, the management said it granted students a three- week break from Monday, January 19, 2026 to allow for the smooth conduct of the NYSC camp. The decision, according to the statement, was met with resistance by some students who protested, citing their recent resumption from the Christmas and New Year break. The protest led to tension at the institution’s main gate, prompting police intervention. The management alleged that while police officers were initially deployed to disperse the crowd, some officers exceeded their brief by firing tear gas canisters into the Polytechnic premises, including student hostels. The action reportedly affected several students and staff, while the institution’s Chief Security Officer was injured 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 as efforts continue to engage relevant authorities to resolve the situation.