By Daniel Edu
The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Abdul-Jimoh Muhammed, has called on the state governor to provide assistance in constructing a perimeter fence around the institution’s 35-kilometer land to prevent encroachment by suspected land grabbers.
Speaking at the 29th convocation of the polytechnic, the rector highlighted the ongoing challenge of land encroachment, despite compensation payments made to villagers who owned the land since 1974. The estimated value of the polytechnic’s land is approximately N26 billion in today’s market.
The rector expressed concern about unauthorized structures emerging on both sides of the road leading to the main gate, posing security challenges for the institution. Despite the management’s efforts, people continue to build on the polytechnic’s land.
In addressing the issue, Muhammed emphasized the financial burden on the polytechnic, which invests significant funds in collaborating with various security agencies to ensure the institution’s security.
He appealed to the state government to intervene and prevent the sale of the institution’s land by land grabbers. Additionally, the rector called on the alumni association and philanthropists to contribute to the construction of a fence around the polytechnic campus for added security and protection of its valuable land.
