Kwara’s college of education gets NUC nod to become varsity

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has recognised the Kwara State University of Education in Ilorin.

Chris Maiyaki, the acting executive secretary of NUC, issued an approval letter to Kayode Afolabi, the deputy governor of Kwara.

The state assembly earlier passed legislation converting Kwara’s college of education in Ilorin and establishing a university in its place.

The NUC validation came after a state delegation submitted two strategic documents in addition to the legislation.

This includes the academic brief and a physical master plan for the planned university.

Maiyaki said the approval means Nigeria now has a total of 274 universities comprising 64 state-owned and 148 private institutions.

He said the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been notified of the establishment of the university.

The executive secretary urged AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the state governor, to ensure sustainable funding for the new university as finance has remained a major challenge in Nigeria’s university education system.

Kayode Afolabi, while addressing the NUC, said the new institution will expand access to quality university education in the state.

He said the state governor is committed to improving the funding of tertiary institutions in the state at all levels.

The deputy governor stated that the university has put a lot of infrastructure on the ground since it was upgraded.