Dr. Salisu Usman Ogbo, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, revealed that he inherited an institution where cultists were revered as demigods and posed a threat to students and staff on campus.

During a press briefing in Lokoja to mark the beginning of activities for the institution’s fourth combined convocation ceremonies, the rector shared that the presence of these criminal elements caused disruptions within the polytechnic environment. However, under his leadership, the institution’s management successfully curtailed their negative activities.

The rector highlighted that the administration took significant steps to address the issue of insecurity by strengthening the institution’s security architecture through effective intelligence gathering on cultists’ activities and other criminal groups. As a result of these efforts, several individuals, both students and non-students, were apprehended with firearms, dangerous weapons, illicit drugs, and involvement in exam malpractices.

Dr. Ogbo acknowledged that the polytechnic had previously faced challenges, including negative reports, social vices, lack of functional student hostels, inadequate ICT infrastructure, a polarized environment along ethnic lines, dilapidated infrastructure, and general indiscipline among staff and students. The institution’s image had also suffered, leading to severed relationships with funding agencies due to failed contracts and abandoned projects over a decade.

To restore the institution’s reputation, the rector introduced the Three-R mission of “Repair, Reform, and Restore,” which has been implemented through consultation and a committee system. The efforts have yielded positive results, including the graduation of 249 students with distinctions at the fourth combined convocation ceremony. Among them, 145 students achieved distinctions at the national diploma level, while 104 students excelled at the higher national diploma level. A total of 7,653 students will be graduating with national diplomas in various programs, and 4,427 students will be graduating with higher national diplomas in various programs.