Kogi Polytechnic Under Scrutiny as Six Lecturers Face Alleged Misconduct Probe Over Sex-for-Marks, Cultism and Handout Sales!

Reported by Musa Antiketu,| Journalist at Obaland magazine.

LOKOJA, Kogi State — The Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has reportedly suspended six lecturers following allegations of misconduct linked to sex-for-marks practices, cultism and the controversial sale of academic handouts to students, placing renewed attention on questions of ethics, accountability and student welfare within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

The reported disciplinary action, according to information available to Obaland magazine, is part of an ongoing effort to investigate allegations of misconduct within the institution. The lecturers are expected to remain subject to the outcome of the investigative process, with the allegations yet to be conclusively established against any individual.

The development has revived broader concerns about the protection of students from abuse of academic authority, the need for transparent disciplinary procedures and the responsibility of tertiary institutions to maintain environments where academic performance is determined by merit rather than financial pressure, personal relationships or coercion.

However, Obaland magazine could not independently confirm, through a publicly accessible official statement from the polytechnic or a directly attributable report from major national media outlets, the specific claim that six lecturers were suspended simultaneously over the three categories of alleged misconduct. Readers should therefore treat the report as an allegation pending official confirmation and the conclusion of any institutional investigation.

The latest claim comes against the backdrop of previous controversies and disciplinary measures at Kogi State Polytechnic concerning the conduct of lecturers and the welfare of students. The institution has, in earlier years, publicly taken a position against compulsory textbook and handout purchases and has also faced reports concerning allegations of sexual harassment involving academic staff.

The issue of sex-for-marks remains one of the most persistent ethical challenges confronting higher education across Nigeria. It refers to situations in which individuals in positions of academic authority allegedly demand or solicit sexual relationships or sexual favours in exchange for grades, academic benefits or favourable treatment.

Beyond its obvious moral and legal implications, such conduct can undermine the integrity of an entire educational system. Students who are subjected to sexual harassment may experience fear, psychological distress, academic disadvantage and a loss of confidence in institutional authorities. In some cases, victims may be reluctant to report alleged abuse because of concerns about retaliation, victim-blaming or possible damage to their academic careers.

For this reason, allegations of sexual misconduct within educational institutions require careful handling. Investigations must protect complainants while also respecting due process for those accused. An allegation, by itself, is not proof of guilt, and disciplinary measures should follow established institutional rules and applicable laws.

The reported suspension of lecturers at Kogi State Polytechnic, if officially confirmed, would therefore represent an important test of the institution’s commitment to accountability and its ability to investigate allegations without fear or favour.

The handout controversy and the question of academic extortion

One of the issues associated with the latest allegation is the sale of handouts and textbooks to students.

The controversy surrounding compulsory academic materials is not new at Kogi State Polytechnic. In September 2021, Punch Newspapers reported that the institution’s then Rector, Dr Usman Salisu Ogbo, announced the suspension of a lecturer accused of forcing students to buy textbooks before they could pass their examinations.

According to the report, the rector described the practice as an injustice to the education system and said students should not be compelled to purchase books written by lecturers as a condition for passing examinations. He reportedly stated that lecturers who had published books should make them available through designated bookshops rather than forcing students to buy them.

The report further quoted the rector as saying that some lecturers allegedly separated students who purchased their books from those who did not, raising concerns about the use of academic authority to pressure students into buying educational materials.

The development was also reported by The NEWS, which similarly stated that a lecturer had been suspended over allegations that students were being forced to buy textbooks before they could pass examinations. The report noted that the institution’s management had maintained that the purchase of textbooks should not be a prerequisite for academic success.

The issue is significant because compulsory handout sales can create additional financial burdens for students, particularly those from low-income households. In an environment where many Nigerian families are already struggling with rising education and living costs, requiring students to purchase materials from individual lecturers can raise questions about fairness, transparency and conflicts of interest.

The appropriate balance, however, is not to discourage lecturers from producing academic materials. Universities and polytechnics depend on scholarly work, textbooks and research publications to advance knowledge. The concern arises when students are allegedly compelled to purchase such materials under the threat of academic consequences.

A transparent system should allow students to access required academic content without fear that refusing to purchase a particular lecturer’s publication could negatively affect their grades.

The institution’s previous position on the matter demonstrates that the issue has been recognised as a governance concern. In a 2022 report by The Sun, the rector warned lecturers against harassing students and specifically criticised practices involving sex-for-marks and compulsory purchases of handouts and textbooks. He said management would sanction lecturers found violating the institution’s directives.

Cultism and security concerns in tertiary institutions

The allegation of cultism introduces another dimension to the reported disciplinary action.

Cultism has historically been a serious security and social challenge across parts of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. Rival groups, intimidation, violence and recruitment activities have contributed to insecurity on some campuses, prompting institutions and government authorities to adopt measures aimed at preventing students from joining secret cult groups.

Kogi State Polytechnic has previously acknowledged the challenge. In a 2025 report, The Guardian Nigeria quoted Rector Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman as saying that the institution had inherited challenges involving cultism, examination fraud and certificate racketeering.

According to the report, the polytechnic responded with measures that included strengthening its security architecture, installing CCTV cameras and increasing security patrols around its campuses. The rector also said the institution had taken steps to address examination fraud and certificate falsification.

In another interview published by The Sun, the rector discussed efforts to combat cultism and other forms of criminality within the institution. He described intelligence gathering and security measures as central to the institution’s response to cult-related activities.

These previous accounts provide important context to any current allegation involving cultism. However, the existence of past security challenges should not automatically be interpreted as confirmation that any individual lecturer is involved in cult-related activities.

Any such allegation must be investigated independently, with evidence presented before disciplinary or legal conclusions are reached.

Sexual harassment and the protection of students

The reported sex-for-marks allegation is perhaps the most sensitive aspect of the latest claim.

The relationship between lecturers and students is inherently unequal because lecturers often exercise significant influence over students’ academic progression. This power imbalance makes allegations of sexual harassment particularly serious.

A lecturer may teach, assess or supervise a student, creating circumstances in which an alleged demand for sexual favours can become coercive, even where the student feels unable to openly resist or report the conduct.

For institutions, the challenge is to establish clear reporting mechanisms that students can trust. A credible system should provide confidential channels for complaints, protect students against retaliation and ensure that allegations are investigated promptly and fairly.

In September 2024, The Guardian Nigeria reported that the Kogi State Government had taken disciplinary action against some lecturers at Kogi State Polytechnic over allegations of sexual harassment involving students. The report said the number and identities of those affected were not disclosed at the time. It also quoted the Kogi State Government’s Senior Special Assistant on Students Affairs as saying that the administration maintained a zero-tolerance position toward sexual harassment.

That report is relevant to the broader context surrounding the current allegation, but it should not be conflated with the claim that six lecturers were recently suspended. The two developments may involve different individuals, different periods and different investigations.

Obaland magazine considers this distinction essential to responsible journalism.

Due process remains central

As the reported investigation proceeds, the central principle should be due process.

The lecturers named or implicated in any investigation are entitled to know the allegations against them and to respond through the appropriate institutional mechanisms. At the same time, students who make complaints deserve to be heard and protected from intimidation.

The institution’s management should therefore provide clarity on the status of the investigation when appropriate, including whether the reported suspensions are confirmed, the nature of the allegations under review and the mechanisms being used to establish the facts.

Where allegations are substantiated, appropriate disciplinary measures should follow in accordance with institutional regulations and applicable law. Where allegations are not established, the affected individuals should be cleared without unnecessary damage to their reputations.

This balance is critical to maintaining confidence in the education system.

For students, the message should be equally clear: academic success should be based on learning, merit and performance. No student should be required to exchange sexual favours for academic benefits, nor should students be subjected to intimidation because they refuse to purchase a lecturer’s handout.

For lecturers and academic administrators, the responsibility is to uphold professional ethics and maintain the trust placed in them by students, parents and society.

A wider challenge for Nigeria’s education system

The reported developments at Kogi State Polytechnic also point to a wider national conversation about governance in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Across the country, concerns about sexual harassment, academic extortion, cultism and examination malpractice have periodically emerged in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. While institutions have introduced policies and disciplinary mechanisms, enforcement remains critical.

Policies against misconduct are meaningful only when students and staff believe that complaints will be taken seriously.

Institutions must therefore strengthen internal accountability systems, establish independent complaint channels where possible, train staff and students on ethical standards, and ensure that disciplinary committees operate fairly and transparently.

Student unions also have an important role to play. They can help communicate concerns from students to management while encouraging responsible reporting and discouraging the spread of unverified allegations.

The media, too, must exercise caution. Stories involving sexual misconduct and criminal allegations can have serious consequences for both complainants and accused persons. Journalists have a responsibility to investigate claims thoroughly, distinguish allegations from established facts and avoid language that prejudges the outcome of an investigation.

For Kogi State Polytechnic, the reported suspension of six lecturers presents an opportunity to demonstrate that accountability and fairness can coexist. If the allegations are confirmed, decisive action would reinforce the principle that misconduct will not be tolerated. If the claims are found to be unsubstantiated, transparent clarification would equally be important in protecting the integrity of the institution and those involved.

Ultimately, the credibility of any disciplinary process will depend on the quality of the investigation, the protection of students and witnesses, respect for due process and the willingness of the institution to communicate responsibly with the public.

As Nigeria continues to confront challenges affecting access to quality education, maintaining ethical standards within tertiary institutions remains essential. Academic institutions must be places where students can pursue knowledge without fear of exploitation, intimidation or discrimination.

The reported case at Kogi State Polytechnic, therefore, should be viewed not merely as an institutional disciplinary matter but as part of a broader national debate about the standards expected of educators and the safeguards required to protect students.

Obaland magazine will continue to monitor developments and will update readers if the polytechnic management or other relevant authorities issue an official statement confirming the reported suspensions or providing further details about the investigation.

Sources and Related Reports

1. Punch Newspapers — Report on Kogi State Polytechnic’s suspension of a lecturer accused of allegedly forcing students to buy textbooks before passing examinations.
2. The NEWS Nigeria — Report on the suspension of a Kogi Polytechnic lecturer over alleged compulsory textbook sales.
3. The Sun Nigeria — Report on the rector’s warning against student harassment, sex-for-marks and compulsory handout or textbook purchases.
4. The Guardian Nigeria — Report on disciplinary action involving Kogi State Polytechnic lecturers over alleged sexual harassment and the state’s position on sexual harassment.
5. The Guardian Nigeria — Report on Kogi Polytechnic’s efforts to tackle cultism, examination fraud and certificate racketeering.
6. The Sun Nigeria — Interview discussing Kogi Polytechnic’s measures against cultism and its policies on compulsory textbook sales.

   Kogi State Polytechnic reportedly suspends six lecturers over alleged sex-for-marks, cultism and compulsory handout sales as investigations into misconduct continue amid wider concerns about student welfare and accountability in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.