Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has inaugurated the governing council of the Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED) in Ilorin, marking the official take-off of this innovative institution.
The newly formed 11-member governing council is chaired by Shuaib Abdulraheem, who also serves as the pro-chancellor of the university. The council comprises a diverse group of members, including Opaleke Bukola, Risikat Lawal, Rotimi Olujide, Umar Gunu, Saad Belgore, Femi Aina, Omowumi Amuda, Kubra Kazum, Ibrahim Abikan, and Afolayan Babatunde.
In his address during the inauguration, Governor Abdulrazaq emphasized the importance of this institution, stating, “This institution is designed to be a successor to the College of Education in Ilorin and a test run for how we handle the remaining colleges in the face of new realities.”
The governor urged the council to maintain high standards from the outset, cautioning against the temptation to inflate the institution’s payroll.
He said, “As the pioneer governing council, I urge you to raise the bar from the beginning and resist the pressures to make the school another centre for unaffordable wage bills through needless jobs.”
He continued, “Employment, if any, must be strictly based on needs and affordability with consideration for competence and inclusion in line with our policy. The school should be run in a way that it does not become another burden on the scarce resources of government.”
In a further development, the governor appointed the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Ismail Alebiosu, as the chancellor of the new university, a move that highlights the administration’s commitment to fostering local leadership within the institution.
Mary Arinde, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, praised the governor’s visionary leadership during the occasion, commending him for his commitment to advancing education in the state. She remarked, “Thank you for making the right choices in appointing the council members,” underscoring the importance of strong governance for the success of KWASUED.
