Students of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, clashed with security operatives on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as they protested the relocation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp to their campus, prompting police to fire tear gas and the state government to order the immediate closure of the institution.
The unrest began early in the day when groups of students gathered at the main gate of the Polytechnic, chanting and blocking access to prevent newly posted corps members from entering the campus. The students objected to the decision by NYSC and Kwara State authorities to designate the campus as a temporary orientation camp, a move officials said was necessary because of rising insecurity around the permanent camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area.
According to protestors, the use of the academic institution, which had just resumed from the Christmas and New Year break would disrupt academic activities, strain limited facilities, and pose safety risks to both students and corps members. Eyewitnesses described a largely peaceful protest that escalated after authorities called in security operatives.
Police officers deployed to manage the situation reportedly fired tear gas canisters not only at the crowd at the gate but also into parts of the campus, scattering students and forcing many to flee for cover. Footage circulating online showed students running from a police van that drove into the college grounds, while tear gas enveloped the area.
The Polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer and several students and staff sustained injuries during the chaos, according to statements from campus officials. A statement issued by the Acting Registrar, AbdulHafis Amin, confirmed the injuries and said the management had initially granted a three-week break starting January 19, 2026, to allow the NYSC exercise to proceed without disrupting academic activities.
Reacting to the unrest, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq directed the immediate closure of the institution to protect lives and properties within the school community. Government statements called on students, staff, and all stakeholders to remain calm while authorities continue discussions aimed at resolving the issue amicably.
The incident has drawn criticism from student representatives and civil society voices, who condemned the use of force and called for greater consultation with students before repurposing educational facilities for other uses. No official police statement has yet been released regarding the deployment tactics, and it remains unclear how future NYSC orientation arrangements will be handled in Kwara State.
