The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has suspended a lecturer captured in a viral video physically assaulting candidates of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) programme within the institution.
The video, which circulated widely on social media on Monday, showed the lecturer caning several candidates who were kneeling with their hands raised, taking turns to receive strokes on their palms.
The incident drew widespread criticism from Nigerians, many of whom condemned the use of corporal punishment in tertiary institutions and demanded disciplinary action against the lecturer.
Reacting to the development, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde, described the act as unacceptable, stressing that students should not be subjected to physical punishment.
According to him, while students are expected to respect lecturers and maintain discipline, educators have no right to physically assault students. He urged the management of Kwara State Polytechnic to thoroughly investigate the matter and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.
In a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Halimat Garba, the polytechnic clarified that those seen in the video were not regular students of the institution but candidates participating in the IJMB programme.
The management stated that the candidates reportedly arrived late for their ongoing examinations, although it noted that the circumstances surrounding the lecturer’s actions were still being investigated.
While condemning the incident, the institution emphasized that it does not support violence or physical punishment as a disciplinary measure.
“The Polytechnic stands firmly against any form of violence or physical punishment as a means of discipline,” the statement said, adding that education should be based on respect, understanding and constructive guidance.
The institution further reiterated its commitment to maintaining a learning environment built on mutual respect and humane methods of instilling discipline and values.
As part of immediate disciplinary measures, the management announced the suspension of the lecturer pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.
It assured stakeholders and members of the public that the matter was being treated with the seriousness it deserves and pledged to implement measures aimed at preventing a recurrence of similar incidents.
The management also reaffirmed its confidence in the institution’s core values and reputation, stating that it remains committed to upholding standards of professionalism and student welfare.
