The Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has matriculated a total of 4,591 fresh students into its academic community for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The Rector of the polytechnic, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, in his speech during the 33rd matriculation ceremony held simultaneously at its main campus in Lokoja and satellite campus in Itakpe on Thursday, warned the new students against any form of examination malpractices, cultism and other social vices that could mar their academic pursuits.
According to him, 2,460 students, representing 54 per cent of the total intake, were admitted into National Diploma (ND1) programmes, while 2,131 students, or 46 per cent, were enrolled into Higher National Diploma (HND1) programmes.
He further revealed that the gender distribution stood at 52 per cent male and 48 per cent female, reflecting steady progress in gender balance across the institution.
Professor Usman noted that the School of Management Studies recorded the highest enrolment with 2,663 students, followed by the School of Applied Sciences with 1,146 students.
He further disclosed that 19 out of the 57 programmes currently being offered were introduced under the present administration, representing over 33 per cent expansion in academic offerings.
According to him, the expansion is a deliberate strategy aimed at aligning the institution’s programmes with national manpower needs and global best practices in technical and vocational education.
Congratulating the newly admitted students, the Rector assured them of a student-centred learning environment supported by improved infrastructure, modern laboratories, ICT-driven examination systems, a functional library, secured hostels and robust entrepreneurial training facilities.
He stressed that discipline, transparency and zero tolerance for social vices would continue to be upheld, while peaceful coexistence, responsible leadership and academic integrity remain central to the Polytechnic’s philosophy.
Professor Usman expressed profound appreciation to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, for providing a conducive working and learning environment for the institution.
He highlighted recent security interventions, including the fencing of the Itakpe Campus and installation of CCTV surveillance systems across both campuses, which he said have significantly enhanced safety and learning conditions.
He also commended the state government for the implementation of the State Health Insurance Scheme and the extension of tax exemptions on the new minimum wage, noting that the policies have brought considerable relief to staff of the institution.
Kogi State Director, Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Tajudeen Olumomi Adeogun, warned that carelessness, poor judgment and rumour-mongering pose and ostentatious living pose greater dangers than most real threats.
The Director, represented by A. S. Musa, emphasized that while Lokoja remains largely peaceful, no campus is immune from security challenges.
He identified theft of phones, laptops and wallets, infiltration of hostels by unauthorised persons, risky late-night movements and online scams targeting fresh students as recurring threats, most of which, he noted, are preventable through vigilance and discipline.
The security agency cautioned students against behaviours that weaken personal safety, including lack of security consciousness, predictable routines, drug abuse, drunkenness, sexual recklessness, ostentatious living and the lure of secret cults.
According to the DSS Director, cultism, often disguised as “protection”, ultimately places students under violent control systems with devastating consequences, while flamboyant lifestyles and careless displays of wealth attract criminal attention.
According to him, false alerts about kidnappers, armed attacks, school closures or emergency evacuations, often spread through WhatsApp messages and voice notes, have previously triggered panic, stampedes and academic disruption on campuses, sometimes putting lives at risk without any verified danger.
He, therefore, advised to verify information strictly through official Polytechnic channels such as management announcements, Student Affairs notices and campus security units. The DSS boss warned that forwarding unconfirmed messages makes students unwitting accomplices in spreading fear and destabilizing the academic environment.
