Academic activities were paralysed at the Federal Polytechnic Offa on Monday as the Students’ Union Government shut the institution’s gates over unresolved welfare concerns.
The PUNCH gathered that the shutdown affected both the Mini Campus and the Permanent Site, preventing students from accessing lecture halls and other academic facilities.
The decision was conveyed in a circular signed by the SUG President, Abdulazeez Olanrewaju, popularly known as Achiever, who said the action followed what the union described as management’s failure to address key demands despite previous engagements.
“Despite previous engagements and appeals, these concerns remain unattended to, thereby affecting the academic welfare and well-being of students,” the statement read.
Among the grievances raised by the union was the lack of clarity surrounding the implementation of the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme.
“There is no proper clarity on the implementation of the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme, and students are left uncertain about what benefits they are entitled to,” the union stated.
The SUG also alleged that the institution’s clinic was poorly equipped to cater for students.
“Students continue to grapple with inadequate drugs, insufficient medical equipment and poor service delivery at the school clinic, which raises serious concerns about our health and safety,” the statement added.
The union also expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as overcrowded lecture halls resulting from increased admissions without a corresponding expansion in infrastructure.
“The growing population of admitted students without adequate classroom spaces has led to congested lecture halls that hinder effective teaching and learning,” it said.
On the enforcement of school fees, the SUG maintained that while it recognised the need for compliance, the current approach did not reflect the economic realities facing many students and their families.
“While we acknowledge the need for students to meet their financial obligations, the enforcement of the ‘No School Fees, No Entry/No Test’ policy must reflect understanding of the economic hardship faced by students and their families,” the union said.
In the circular addressed to faculty and departmental presidents, the SUG directed immediate mobilisation of students and full compliance with the shutdown.
“All Faculties and Departmental Presidents are hereby directed to mobilise students in their jurisdictions, ensure total compliance with the campus closure and maintain peace, order and discipline throughout the agitation,” the notice added.
The union urged students to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the protest, noting that the action was taken in the collective interest of the student body.
As of press time, the institution’s management had yet to issue an official response to the development.