Kwara Committed to Transforming Education for National Development

The Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu,  has reiterated the commitment of the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to repositioning the educational sector as a strategic tool for youth empowerment and national development.

Hajia Modibbo Kawu, who led the team from the Ministry on a facility tour of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin emphasized that the government places high priority on education and will continue to invest in institutions to build a brighter future for the next generation.

Accompanying the Commissioner on the tour of the Institution were the Director of Personnel, Finance, and Supply, Hajia Jimoh Fatima Abolore, and the Director of Research and Development, Mrs. Roliyat Omotayo Yahaya.

The Commissioner commended the management and staff of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, for their dedication to educational excellence and innovation, expressing satisfaction with the level of development witnessed, particularly the entrepreneurship centre and the commercial farming project, which she described as laudable strides in vocational and technical education.

“I am truly impressed with what I’ve seen today. The facilities here are evident to the dedication and hard work of the management and staff of this institution. This aligns perfectly with Governor AbdulRazaq’s vision of empowering our youths through quality and practical education,” she said.

The Commissioner noted that the innovations within the polytechnic, such as the skills acquisition initiatives and agricultural ventures, are in line with the State’s objectives of promoting self-reliance among graduates and reducing unemployment.

She also emphasized the need for continuous improvement, urging the institution to sustain its drive for excellence.

The  Commissioner assured the polytechnic’s management that the State government would look into the concerns raised by the Rector and continue to collaborate with the institution to overcome its challenges and provide the necessary support.

In his welcome address, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Engr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed appreciated the  Commissioner and her team for the visit, noting that it would further strengthen the relationship between the Ministry and the institution.

He described the visit as timely and reassuring, demonstrating the government’s commitment to advancing technical and tertiary education in the State.

The Rector highlighted some of the institution’s key achievements, including the expansion of the Entrepreneurship Development Centre and the boost in commercial agricultural activities as part of students’ practical training.

However, he drew attention to two major challenges facing the polytechnic, land encroachment and financial constraints.

“Land encroachment remains a major threat to the future expansion of the polytechnic. We seek the Ministry’s intervention in addressing this challenge, possibly through the involvement of relevant government agencies to safeguard our property,” he said.

Dr. Jimoh also appealed for financial support from the State government, particularly to facilitate the renewal of academic programme accreditations and the logistics involved in hosting visiting panels and regulatory bodies such as the NBTE.

He reaffirmed the management’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for academic and vocational training, in line with global best practices.

Omotayo Ayanda 

Press Secretary 

MOTE