Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has officially inaugurated the Governing Council for the newly established Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED). The inauguration took place on Saturday, 9 November, 2024, as announced in a press release by the governor’s spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye.
The 11-member governing council is chaired by Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem (OFR), the former vice-chancellor of the University of Ilorin. Mr. Abdulraheem will also serve as the university’s pro-chancellor. Other members of the council include Iyabo Opaleke, Risikat Lawal, Rotimi Olujide, Umar Gunu, Saad Belgore, Femi Aina, Omowumi Amuda, Kubra Kazum, Ibrahim Abikan, and Afolayan Babatunde, who represents the Ministry of Tertiary Education.
In his speech, Governor AbdulRazaq emphasized the importance of KWASUED to the future of education in Kwara State. He described the institution as a “child of necessity,” designed to position the state and its people for a sustainable future in education and related fields. KWASUED will succeed the College of Education Ilorin and serve as a model for how other colleges are managed in the face of evolving educational needs.
The governor expressed confidence in the council’s ability to lead the new university, urging them to establish a culture of excellence from the start. He also emphasized the need for careful management of resources, warning against the creation of unnecessary jobs that could burden the state’s finances. He stressed that any employment at the university should be based on actual needs, competence, and affordability, in line with the state’s policies.
Governor AbdulRazaq also appointed Oba Ismail Alebiosu, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, as the university’s chancellor. The inauguration event was attended by various prominent figures, including the State APC Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, Deputy Chief of Staff, Bukola Babalola, Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mary Arinde, and other key government officials.
Mary Arinde, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, commended the governor for establishing the university, describing it as a significant step forward for the state’s educational development. She praised the governor’s vision for a university that would contribute to shaping the future of education in Kwara State.
In his remarks, Mr. Abdulraheem stressed the importance of education as the foundation of society. He lauded the governor for his commitment to quality education at all levels and for ensuring that the governing council included qualified individuals. He also highlighted the governor’s commitment to gender balance, as reflected in the council’s composition.
As part of the inauguration, the governor presented new buses to students’ unions in Kwara State, including the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS). The leaders of the unions, Issa Arikewuyo and Abdulwahab Ridwan, expressed their gratitude to the governor for the gesture.
This development marks a key milestone in Kwara State’s efforts to enhance its educational infrastructure and create a university that will have a lasting impact on the state’s academic and professional landscape.
Kwara State, KWASUED, education in Kwara, university inauguration, Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, higher education, Nigerian students
