The management of Kwara State Polytechnic has suspended a lecturer who was caught on a viral video physically assaulting candidates of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) programme at the institution.
The footage, which circulated widely on social media on Monday, showed the lecturer allegedly caning several students who were made to kneel with their hands raised during what appeared to be disciplinary action for arriving late for an examination. The incident triggered public outrage and renewed debate about corporal punishment in higher institutions.
Reacting to the development, the National Association of Nigerian Students’ leadership condemned the action. The NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, described the conduct as unacceptable and warned against the use of violence in disciplinary measures.
He said: “Such act is condemnable. Students are not animals and should never be treated as such.” He added that while discipline is necessary, educators must adopt humane and appropriate methods rather than physical punishment.
In a clarification, the polytechnic management stated that those seen in the video were not regular polytechnic students but IJMB candidates who reportedly arrived late for their examination.
The institution stressed that the circumstances leading to the incident were still under review.
However, it strongly condemned the lecturer’s approach, noting that violence has no place in its disciplinary system.
The institution emphasized that education should be anchored on respect, guidance, and constructive correction rather than physical assault.
The management confirmed that the lecturer involved has been suspended pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation. It added that appropriate measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence and to uphold discipline within the institution.
Public reactions continue to trail the incident online, with many calling for stricter enforcement of policies against corporal punishment in tertiary institutions.
