Akwa Poly Host Community Blocks Campus Gates Demands Rector’s Removal

Residents of Ikot Osurua, the host community of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, on Tuesday staged a protest at the school’s main entrance, demanding the dismissal of Rector Dr. Moses Umobong and rejecting the appointment of a non-indigene as Community Liaison Officer.

Over 1,000 demonstrators, who arrived at the campus around 7 a.m., carried placards with inscriptions such as “CLO Our Right” and “Umobong Worst Rector in History of Akwa Poly.” They accused the rector of slashing part-time staff salaries from N50,000 to N30,000 despite ongoing calls for an increased minimum wage, describing the action as a breach of civil service rules.

The protest disrupted Students’ Union Government Week activities as gates were locked, preventing both staff and students from entering the campus.

Reacting to the development, Rector Umobong said he regretted the disruption but explained that his tenure was almost over. He told reporters he would first brief the state government before making further comments.

Earlier in July, Umobong had dismissed allegations of a succession crisis, denying claims that he was promoting an Ibibio kinsman to succeed him. He stressed that the appointment of a rector is the sole responsibility of the governor and the National Board for Technical Education.

Defending his administration, the rector listed achievements including 100 percent accreditation for all programmes, a leap from 99th to second place in national ranking, and an increase in academic staff qualifications, with more than 60 PhD holders now in the polytechnic.

He described the succession claims as politically motivated and maintained that his focus had been on institutional growth.