ILORIN, Kwara State — The management of Kwara State Polytechnic has suspended a lecturer captured in a viral video physically reprimanding students, following widespread public outrage and concerns raised by stakeholders over the incident.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Halimat Garba, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the suspension and said the video had generated significant concern among stakeholders and members of the public. The management condemned the lecturer’s conduct and assured that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken.
The viral video, which circulated widely on social media, showed the lecturer administering physical punishment on students, sparking debates about the use of corporal punishment in Nigerian educational institutions. Many Nigerians expressed outrage, calling on the polytechnic management to investigate and sanction the lecturer.
The management noted that the institution has established policies and regulations governing the conduct of lecturers and students, including guidelines on the proper handling of disciplinary issues. The suspension is intended to allow for a thorough investigation into the matter and to ensure that due process is followed.
The Polytechnic also urged students and staff to adhere to the institution’s rules and regulations, and to channel any grievances through appropriate channels. The statement assured students and parents that the institution remains committed to providing a safe and conducive learning environment.
The incident has reignited conversations about the need for educational institutions to adopt alternative methods of discipline that do not involve physical punishment. Advocacy groups and child rights organisations have called on the federal and state governments to enforce existing laws prohibiting corporal punishment in schools.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has also weighed in on the matter, calling for a full-scale investigation and urging the polytechnic to ensure that justice is served. NANS further appealed to lecturers across the country to embrace dialogue and counselling as means of correcting students rather than resorting to physical force.
As the investigation proceeds, the Kwara State Polytechnic has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and discipline among its staff and students. For now, the suspended lecturer will remain away from the classroom pending the outcome of the investigation.
