Kwara Poly Suspends Lecturer for Flogging IJMB Exam Candidates

Kwara Poly Suspends Lecturer for Flogging IJMB Exam Candidates

The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (Kwara Poly) , has suspended a lecturer captured in a viral video physically assaulting candidates of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) programme during an examination exercise on the institution’s premises. The suspension followed public outrage after the video surfaced on social media on Monday, June 22, 2026, showing the lecturer caning candidates who were kneeling with their hands raised while taking turns to receive strokes of the cane on their palms. The footage triggered widespread criticism from Nigerians, many of whom condemned the use of corporal punishment in a tertiary institution and demanded disciplinary action against the lecturer involved.

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Akinteye Babatunde, strongly condemned the incident, insisting that students should not be subjected to physical punishment under any circumstances. In a statement shared on social media, he wrote: “A lecturer in Kwara State Polytechnic asked IJMB students to kneel down, and he beat them up with a cane. Such an act is condemnable. Students are not animals and should never be treated as such. There are different ways to punish erring students, not beating them up.” Babatunde further called on the institution’s management to investigate the matter and impose sanctions where necessary, noting that “as much as students must never assault lecturers or act rudely to them, lecturers don’t also have the right to assault students” . His remarks resonated with many Nigerians who took to social media to express their outrage and demand justice for the affected candidates.

Responding to the controversy, the institution, through a statement issued on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, Hajia Halimat Garba, clarified that those captured in the video were not regular students of the polytechnic but candidates of the IJMB programme who had arrived late for their ongoing examinations. The statement read: “The attention of Kwara State Polytechnic Management has been drawn to a viral video circulating on social media in which a lecturer is seen physically reprimanding students. The Management wishes to clarify that the students depicted in the video are not Polytechnic students but rather IJMB (Interim Joint Matriculation Board) candidates who arrived late for their ongoing examinations.” This clarification, however, did little to quell public anger, as many argued that the status of the students did not justify the use of physical force.

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While noting that the circumstances surrounding the lecturer’s action were still being investigated, the institution condemned the method adopted, describing it as wholly inappropriate and contrary to the polytechnic’s values. The management stated: “While the intention for which the action was done is not yet known, we must emphasize that the approach taken was wholly inappropriate, as the Polytechnic stands firmly against any form of violence or physical punishment as a means of discipline.” The institution reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a learning environment built on mutual respect and positive engagement, adding that “we believe that education should be rooted in respect, understanding, and constructive guidance, and that there are far more effective and humane ways to instill important values in students.”

However, some context has emerged regarding the incident. A staff member of the institution, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Legit.ng that the students involved were IJMB examination candidates who had repeatedly ignored warnings about lateness. The staff member explained that examination officials were under pressure to maintain order and ensure compliance with regulations, adding that “the Director was under pressure to ensure order and compliance with examination procedures so that affected students would not be completely denied the opportunity to sit for their papers.” Defending the lecturer’s character, the source added: “Those who know the Director personally can attest to his commitment to students’ academic success and welfare over the years. The scenario was a fatherly act to save the students.” This defence, however, was met with further criticism, with many arguing that corporal punishment is an outdated and unacceptable method of discipline in any educational setting.

Consequently, the polytechnic announced the immediate suspension of the lecturer from his duties pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation into the incident. The management stated: “The Polytechnic Management therefore suspends the concerned lecturer from his duties henceforth, pending the outcome of the findings on this matter.” The institution acknowledged the concerns raised by stakeholders and assured the public that the matter was being taken very seriously. “We appreciate the concerns raised by stakeholders regarding this incident and assure the public that the matter is being taken very seriously.”

The institution also reiterated its commitment to the integrity and values for which it is known, adding that necessary steps would be taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future. “In light of this incident, the Management wishes to express its sincere confidence to the public in the integrity and values for which Kwarapoly is known. We are determining the necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future.”

The incident has renewed debates over acceptable disciplinary practices in Nigerian educational institutions, with many stakeholders calling for measures that prioritize respect, accountability, and student welfare. As the investigation continues, all eyes remain on Kwara State Polytechnic to see what further actions will be taken against the lecturer and what policies will be implemented to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

Kwara Poly Suspends Lecturer for Flogging IJMB Exam Candidates