Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, in Imo State, has suspended a facilitator, Mr Okoroafor Ifeanyichukwu, after a viral video showed him assaulting a male student.
The suspension notice, issued on March 14th, 2025, stated that Okoroafor is suspended pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident.
According to the letter, signed by the Director of the Technical and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (TEDC), Dr Okoye P.C., Okoroafor was suspended “from duty as a facilitator in the Technical and Entrepreneurship Development Centre pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident that occurred yesterday, 13th March 2025, at the site of your entrepreneurship training.”
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, March 13, 2025, was captured in a video that showed Okoroafor slapping the student, Chidera, and then kicking him, causing him to fall onto a cemented walkway and damaging his phone.
Okoroafor has since apologised to Chidera, saying: “I am writing to offer my sincerest apologies for my behaviour towards you. I am deeply sorry for the way I treated you, and I realise 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.”
He acknowledged that his behaviour was unprofessional and caused harm and distress to the student. Okoroafor expressed commitment to changing his behaviour and ensuring that all his students feel safe, respected, and supported in the classroom.
The suspension and apology sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some commending the institution’s swift action.
