By Moses Okorie
Fresh allegations of sexual harassment, cult activities and other forms of misconduct have sparked concern among students and parents at Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, barely months after the appointment of a new rector.
Several female students who spoke on condition of anonymity claimed that disciplinary standards introduced during the administration of the immediate past Rector, Prof. Salisu Usman, had weakened, creating room for the resurgence of social vices previously brought under control.
According to the students, some lecturers have allegedly resumed demanding sexual favours or monetary inducements from female students in exchange for favourable grades or protection from academic failure.
They alleged that lecturers in the Public Administration and Graphics Design departments demanded between N70,000 and N80,000 from students, while others allegedly threatened to fail female students who refused to comply with their demands.
One student claimed that a lecturer instructed a female student to book and pay for a hotel room ahead of a proposed meeting. She alleged that after reporting the matter to a member of the institution’s management, the student was intimidated instead of receiving protection or seeing disciplinary action taken.
“It is unfortunate that practices which were curtailed under the previous administration are gradually returning. The disciplinary system appears weak, and some lecturers now act with impunity while female students remain afraid to speak out for fear of victimisation or rustication,” one of the students alleged.
The students also expressed concern over what they described as the resurgence of cult-related activities on campus.
One of them claimed that suspected cult members held a meeting between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. near one of the female hostels about two weeks ago. She alleged that although security personnel reportedly alerted the management, no disciplinary action had been taken.
Beyond the allegations of sexual misconduct and cultism, the students complained of the apparent abandonment of the institution’s dress code and compulsory identity card policy, as well as the reported return of the sale of unauthorised handouts by lecturers.
They also lamented what they described as a more than 200 per cent increase in school fees, saying the development had placed additional financial strain on students and their families.
Appealing to Governor Usman Ododo to intervene, one of the students warned that the institution was gradually losing the gains recorded under the previous administration.
Reacting to the allegations, the Polytechnic’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. John Onimisi, said the institution had already commenced disciplinary measures against lecturers accused of violating its regulations.
According to him, six lecturers were suspended on Wednesday over allegations of unauthorised sales of handouts and textbooks within the institution.
He also confirmed the suspension of another lecturer over an allegation of sexual harassment.
“The Polytechnic’s disciplinary committee is already investigating the allegations, and the outcome of the investigation will be made available to journalists,” Onimisi said.
However, the institution did not specifically respond to allegations concerning the reported resurgence of cult activities on campus.
The allegations have renewed calls by students and parents for transparent investigations, stronger institutional oversight and stricter enforcement of disciplinary measures to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.
