The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has suspended a lecturer seen in a viral video administering corporal punishment to candidates of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) programme on the institution’s campus.
The video, which circulated widely on social media on Monday, captured the lecturer using a cane on several candidates who were kneeling with their hands raised while receiving strokes on their palms.
The footage generated strong reactions online, with many Nigerians criticising the use of physical punishment in an academic environment and demanding disciplinary action against the lecturer.
Reacting to the incident, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde, condemned the lecturer’s actions, stressing that students should not be subjected to physical assault under any circumstance.
According to him, there are more appropriate disciplinary measures for handling student misconduct without resorting to violence.
“A lecturer in Kwara State Polytechnic asked IJMB students to kneel down and beat them with a cane. Such behaviour is unacceptable. Students are human beings and should not be treated in that manner. There are various ways to discipline erring students without physically assaulting them.
“While students must show respect and avoid any form of misconduct towards lecturers, lecturers equally have no right to physically abuse students. I call on the management of Kwara State Polytechnic to investigate this matter and impose appropriate sanctions where necessary,” he stated.
In its response, the institution clarified that those featured in the video were not students of the polytechnic but IJMB candidates who allegedly arrived late for an ongoing examination.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Halimat Garba.
According to the statement, the institution strongly disapproves of any form of violence or corporal punishment, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The attention of Kwara State Polytechnic Management has been drawn to a viral video circulating online in which a lecturer is seen physically reprimanding students.
“The Management wishes to clarify that the individuals involved are not students of the Polytechnic but candidates participating in the IJMB programme who reportedly arrived late for their examinations,” the statement noted.
The institution explained that while the motive behind the lecturer’s conduct had not yet been fully established, the method used was unacceptable and contrary to the values of the institution.
“Although investigations are still ongoing to determine the circumstances that led to the action, the approach adopted by the lecturer is completely unacceptable. The Polytechnic does not support violence or physical punishment as a disciplinary measure.
“We believe that education should be based on mutual respect, understanding, mentorship, and constructive correction. There are more effective and humane ways of guiding and correcting students,” the statement added.
As part of immediate disciplinary measures, the management announced that the lecturer had been suspended from official duties pending the outcome of a full investigation into the incident.
“The Polytechnic Management has consequently suspended the lecturer involved pending the conclusion of investigations into the matter.
“We appreciate the concerns expressed by stakeholders and members of the public and wish to assure everyone that the issue is receiving the serious attention it deserves.
“The institution remains committed to the values and standards for which Kwara State Polytechnic is known, and necessary steps are being taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur again,” the statement concluded.
