Kwara State-owned tertiary institutions have recorded academic successes and institutional growth between April and September 2025, buoyed by the state government’s substantial investment in infrastructure, innovation, and human capital.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Sa’adatu Kawu, confirmed in Ilorin that the Kwara State University (KWASU) secured 100% accreditation for all 25 academic programmes presented to the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Similarly, the Kwara State Polytechnic achieved full accreditation for all programmes assessed by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
State Colleges of Education in Ilorin, Oro, and Lafiagi also maintained accreditation for their NCE programmes.
Presenting the third-quarter Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing Report, Kawu credited the progress to the “visionary leadership” of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
She highlighted massive investments aimed at enhancing institutional development, staff welfare, student empowerment, and research advancement.
Key capital projects approved by the governor include the renovation and upgrading of 14 facilities at the College of Education, Ilorin, which will also serve the new Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED).
The government also approved the procurement of essential resources for KWASUED, such as laboratory equipment, library furniture, e-learning software, and the development of an integrated ICT system.
The ministry also ensured leadership stability across state-owned institutions.
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Recent key appointments include Benjamin Ayanshola as the substantive Provost of the College of Health Technology, Offa, and a new Provost for the College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi.
The Governing Council of the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS), Ilorin, was also inaugurated, steps the Commissioner noted have strengthened administrative efficiency.
Peaceful industrial relations, regular payment of staff salaries, and uninterrupted academic calendars were also maintained.
KWASU demonstrated a commitment to innovation by spearheading a clean energy drive, converting old government vehicles to electric and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) systems.
The university signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yasin Logistics to establish CNG conversion and repair centres and secured participation in the Presidential Initiative on CNG (PiCNG) for campus mobility buses and motorcycles.
Other notable collaborations included a Memorandum of Understanding between Kwara Polytechnic and the Nigerian Railway Corporation; another between IVTEC Ajase-Ipo and the Federal Polytechnic, Offa; and a partnership between the College of Education, Ilorin and Rudn University, Russia, aimed at promoting research and academic exchange.
The government approved and disbursed a 100% increase in bursary and scholarship awards to Kwara indigenes, including law students.
The report highlighted several student training programmes and achievements across Kwara State’s tertiary institutions.
A total of 200 youths were trained under Batch 9 of the Kwara Youth Empowerment and Employment Generation Scheme (KWYEEGS) at the International Vocational, Technical and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC), Ajase-Ipo.
Over 600 female students of Kwara State Polytechnic received training in Smart Agriculture under the French Government’s WATEA project, implemented in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Students of Kwara State Polytechnic also excelled at the 2024 NIPOGA Games, winning six gold, six silver, and two bronze medals.
Similarly, the College of Education, Ilorin, clinched first place at the ECHIPS National Competition organised by the Federal Ministry of Education.
In the area of aviation education, the Kwara State Aviation College completed Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training for three students and procured new aircraft engines and logistics equipment to enhance operations and safety standards.
Meanwhile, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to staff development through regular workshops on entrepreneurship, ICT, vocational skills, and digital learning, ensuring institutions remain equipped to deliver quality technical teacher education and vocational skills in alignment with the state’s industrialisation policy.
