By Demola Akinyemi, ILORIN

Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin,like any other prestigious and popular institution is not new to management crisis and students’ protest since its creation 53 years ago.

So, the suspension of the Rector, Dr Abdul Jimoh Mohammed on January 26, 2026 over students’ protest has therefore  brought the polytechnic to the public glare in recent time.

Though this is not the first time a rector’s tenure in the polytechnic would be cut short, Vanguard recalled that the tenure of his successor, Alh. Mas’ud Elelu was also cut short over issues surrounding alleged tenure extension.

Dr Mohammed had secured a second term, his suspension has triggered pressures by his sympathisers on the state governor to return him to office.

Recall that the students who just returned from Christmas and New Year break were directed by the management to proceed on another three weeks’ break to enable members of the National Youth Service Corps scheme hold their orientation programme on the campus.

Also recall that as a result of security challenges confronting the state, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq last year took proactive step to relocate corps members from their permanent orientation site in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of the state to avoid possible abductions of corps members since the area is one of the flash points of kidnapping in the state.

The NYSC camp was temporarily relocated to the expansive premises of Kwara Polytechnic, Ilorin where there are enough facilities and logistics for the corps members posted to the state to continue their programme.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the protest over the clash of programmes of the students and the corps members, which caused the suspension of the Rector, has since created tension in the polytechnic.

Vanguard’s investigation also revealed that the students’ protest might not be the only reason the Rector was suspended, but the protest only triggered discontentment by some council members and staff over the rector’s style of leadership.  

Allegations and counter-allegations of favouritism trailed the 2021 promotion exercise in the institution.

Some people alleged that the Rector did not stick to the instruction of making 50 percent the cut off point, but that he raised it to 70 percent.

This is just as some alleged that some staff members were promoted based on loyalty to various caucuses and groups.

The development bred discontent among staff members.

The Public Relations Officer of the polytechnic, Halimat Garuba, however, insisted that the Rector was asked to step aside based on the students’ protest matter alone.

“I’m not aware of any other reason,” she quipped.

Meanwhile, groups and associations are already mounting pressure on the governor to reinstate the suspended rector.

One of such groups from the constituency of the Rector in ilorin ,Ojagboro/Ipata Youth Progress, a socio-development group, in a statement by its Secretary, Ibrahim Habibullahi Ndagozan, appealed to Governor AbdulRazaq ,”to kindly consider the reinstatement of the suspended Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.”, noting among others the Rector’s leadership style which contributed significantly to academic stability, infrastructural development, and improved administrative discipline in the institution.

Meanwhile, Governor AbdulRazaq has appointed Dr. Awolola Felicia Olabisi as the Acting Rector of the  Polytechnic. 

Dr. Olabisi, a distinguished academic and administrator, is expected to take charge immediately, bringing her wealth of experience and visionary leadership to the institution during this critical period.

The Acting Rector is tasked with ensuring seamless academic operations, engaging stakeholders, and fostering a safe and productive environment for both students and staff.

While the polytechnic is closed and the students have been asked to stay away for three weeks, investigation into the protest is expected to end soon, which way would the pendulum swing? Time will tell.