By Basillia Obinna
Female students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, are reportedly expressing growing concerns over alleged sexual harassment and a resurgence of cult-related activities on campus, amid claims that disciplinary standards have weakened.
The allegations, which have sparked anxiety within the institution, include claims of sex-for-marks, unauthorized sale of handouts, and renewed cult activities. The Polytechnic management, however, says it has already suspended seven lecturers and commenced investigations into the allegations.
Sources within the institution alleged that in the months following the return of the Rector, Professor Salihu Sanusi Avidime, disciplinary measures introduced by the previous administration had been relaxed, creating an atmosphere that emboldened some staff and students.
According to the sources, some lecturers allegedly demand sexual favours from female students or request payments ranging from ₦70,000 to ₦80,000 in exchange for passing examination grades.
One source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that a female student reported an alleged demand by a lecturer to meet him in a hotel, but expressed concern that the complaint had not yielded the expected response.
The source further alleged that students were increasingly reluctant to report such incidents for fear of intimidation or victimisation.
There were also claims that cult activities had resurfaced on campus, with reports of late-night gatherings and alleged initiation ceremonies around one of the female hostels.
According to another source, security personnel reportedly alerted the management to one such incident, but no official action had been publicly announced.
The sources also alleged that regulations introduced by the previous administration, including compulsory use of identity cards and enforcement of a dress code, were no longer being strictly implemented.
They further claimed that the sale of handouts, previously prohibited, had resumed, and increasing the financial burden on students already grappling with higher tuition fees.
However, reacting to the allegations, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, John Amos Onimisi, said the Polytechnic had already taken disciplinary action against some members of staff.
Onimisi confirmed that six lecturers were suspended on July 22, 2026, over the unauthorized sale of handouts and textbooks, while another lecturer was suspended over allegations of sexual harassment.
He said the institution’s disciplinary committee was investigating all the allegations and assured that appropriate action would be taken where wrongdoing is established.
“Six lecturers were suspended over the unauthorized sale of handouts and textbooks, while another lecturer has been suspended over allegations of sexual harassment,” Onimisi said.
“The disciplinary committee is currently investigating the allegations, and the outcome of the investigation will be made available to journalists when the process is concluded.”
The Polytechnic management did not directly address the allegations of cult activities or claims that disciplinary standards had weakened but maintained that the ongoing investigations would establish the facts surrounding the various allegations.
The development comes amid renewed calls by stakeholders for stronger institutional measures to protect students, enforce discipline and uphold academic integrity within tertiary institutions.
