The authorities of Federal Polytechnic Nekede have issued a suspension letter to a lecturer, Mr. Okoroafor Ifeanyichukwu, who assaulted a male student, Mr Chidera for not adhering to his instructions.
This action followed the widespread reactions from netizens after a video of the incident went viral, prompting calls for disciplinary action against the lecturer.
The management has withdrawn Mr. Ifeanyichukwu from his role as a facilitator at the Technical and Entrepreneurship Development Centre.
The incident occurred on Thursday while students were queuing to enter a hall for an entrepreneurship training session.
Video description
In the video, the lecturer was seen pursuing the male student before slapping him and delivering a kick, which caused the student to fall backward onto the concrete ground.
After the lecturer left the student on the ground, he was heard saying, “Why don’t you stay there and tell me since I said nobody should enter?” Meanwhile, other students around the assaulted student were repeatedly pleading, “Sorry sir, sorry sir, sorry sir.”
A statement signed by the Director of TEDC, Dr. Okoye P.C., read, “You are hereby suspended from duty as a facilitator in the Technical and Entrepreneurship Development Centre pending the outcome of the investigation into the incident that occurred yesterday, 13th March 2025, at the site of your entrepreneurship training.”
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Meanwhile, according to Punch publication, the lecturer has apologized to the student.
Lecturer’s Apology Letter
“Dear Chidera, LETTER OF APOLOGY TO MR CHIDERA. I am writing to offer my sincerest apologies for my behavior towards you. I am deeply sorry for the way I treated you, and I realize that my actions were unacceptable and hurtful. As your teacher, I should have provided a safe and supportive learning environment, but instead, I bullied and intimidated you.
“My behavior was not only unprofessional, but it also caused you harm and distress. I want you to know that I take full responsibility for my actions, and I am truly sorry for the pain and suffering I caused you. I understand that my apology cannot erase the past, but I hope it can be a step towards healing and moving forward.
“Please know that I am committed to changing my behavior and ensuring that all my students feel safe, respected, and supported in the classroom. I will do everything in my power to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. If you are willing, I would like to meet with you to discuss how I can make amends and support you in any way possible. Please let me know if this is something you would be open to, and we can arrange a time and place that works for you. Once again, I offer my sincerest apologies for my behavior. You deserved better from me, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Sincerely, Ifeanyichukwu.”
Netizens shared the suspension letter on social media, commending the institution’s swift action, though some questioned the lack of a fair hearing.
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Reactions from Netizens
An X user, Awoniyi Michael, wrote, “Assaulting a student in school is unacceptable. The lecturer must apologize, but he should also be sacked and arrested for this unlawful act.”
Another user, Agu-Izuwa, called on the attention of security forces, saying, “That lecturer should be sacked and arrested by @PoliceNG. No matter the provocation, he should not have stooped this low!”
Ik_Balarabe, another user, stated, “This is outright abuse of power and a disgrace to the teaching profession. A lecturer who physically assaults a student has no place in any academic institution. If a lecturer was sacked for merely administering corporal punishment, then this one should not only be dismissed but also prosecuted. Enough of this barbarism in Nigerian schools!”
