Academic activities have resumed at the Federal Polytechnic (Fedpoly), Offa, Kwara State, following a crisis of confidence between the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the school management. The suspension of academic activities had been in place since September 15, 2026, when ASUP withdrew its services due to alleged security concerns. The institution's suspended semester examinations also commenced on Monday at the two campuses.
The crisis began over a misunderstanding between the school authorities and ASUP regarding the holding of council meetings outside the polytechnic campuses due to alleged insecurity. ASUP accused the management of misinforming the Federal Ministry of Education to justify holding meetings outside the polytechnic. In a letter to the Chairman, Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic Offa, ASUP Chairman Yemi Alabi stated that the union had raised concerns over poor working conditions, declining staff welfare, and an uninhabitable working environment.
ASUP's letter, titled 'RE: Holding of governing council meetings outside the polytechnic,' expressed disappointment that the council had turned a blind eye to the union's concerns. Alabi alleged that the council had justified the alleged insecurity as the reason for shifting council meetings to Ilorin, the state capital. The union concluded that the governing council had failed in its oversight functions and that the rector and council had conducted themselves in ways capable of tampering with the peace of the institution and host community.
The union's concerns led to the withdrawal of services by academic staff, with ASUP calling for the immediate suspension of the Rector, Engr. Kamoru Kadiri, for alleged sundry malfeasance. The union also gave a vote of no confidence on the principal officers and governing council. However, the Director (Polytechnic Education and Allied Institutions) on behalf of the Minister of Education, Mrs Igwe Amy K, approved the request for council meetings to be convened at temporarily suitable venues outside the polytechnic due to security reasons.
Mrs Igwe stated that the meetings should be conducted with strict adherence to due process. The approval led to the resumption of academic activities and the commencement of suspended semester examinations. The rector, Engr. Kamoru Kadiri, has spoken to journalists about the state of the polytechnic, though details of the interview are not available.
The crisis at Fedpoly Offa highlights the challenges faced by institutions in managing internal conflicts and ensuring a safe working environment for staff. The resumption of academic activities is expected to bring relief to students and staff who were affected by the suspension of activities. The institution's management and ASUP will need to work together to address the underlying issues and prevent future crises.
Key to the resolution of the crisis was the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Education, which approved the holding of council meetings outside the polytechnic due to security concerns. The ministry's approval paved the way for the resumption of academic activities and the completion of suspended semester examinations.
Key points
- ASUP had withdrawn its services on September 15, 2026, due to alleged security concerns and poor working conditions.
- The Federal Ministry of Education approved the holding of council meetings outside the polytechnic due to security reasons.
- Academic activities and suspended semester examinations have resumed at Fedpoly Offa.
