The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has suspended a lecturer seen in a viral video physically punishing candidates of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) programme, following widespread public condemnation.
The video, which circulated on social media, showed several candidates kneeling with their hands raised while the lecturer took turns caning them on their palms within the institution’s premises.
The incident triggered outrage online, with many Nigerians questioning the use of corporal punishment in tertiary institutions and demanding disciplinary action against the lecturer.
President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde, described the incident as unacceptable, insisting that students should not be subjected to physical assault.
“Such 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,” he said.
Mr Babatunde added that while students should respect lecturers, academic staff also have no right to physically assault students.
“As much as students must never assault lecturers or act rudely to them, lecturers don’t also have the right to assault students. I hereby call on the Kwara State Polytechnic management to investigate this issue and sanctions should be made where necessary.”
In a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Halimat Garba, the management clarified that those seen in the video were not students of the polytechnic but candidates of the IJMB programme who reportedly arrived late for their ongoing examinations.
“The Management wishes to clarify that the students depicted in the video are not Polytechnic students but rather IJMB candidates who arrived late for their ongoing examinations,” the statement said.
Although the institution said the reason for the lecturer’s actions had yet to be fully established, it condemned the method used.
“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 said it remained committed to promoting respect, understanding and constructive engagement within the learning environment.
“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.”
Announcing disciplinary action, the management said the lecturer had been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation.
“The Polytechnic Management therefore suspends the concerned lecturer from his duties pending the outcome of the findings on this matter.”
The institution also assured members of the public that the incident was being treated seriously and pledged to take steps to prevent a recurrence.
The case has renewed debate over the use of corporal punishment in educational institutions and the limits of disciplinary measures in higher education settings.
