…Commissioner Hails AbdulRazaq’s Commitment as NCCE Concludes Accreditation Visit to Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin
#KwaraRising
Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has been widely commended for his bold reforms and sustained investments in the education sector, particularly in revitalizing the state’s tertiary institutions.
The accolades were led by the State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, during a debriefing session with the accreditation team from the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), who visited the Kwara State College of Education (KWCOED), Ilorin, for the 2025 accreditation exercise of the National Certificate in Education (NCE) programme.
Describing the exercise as a major milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to reposition higher education in the state, the Commissioner praised Governor AbdulRazaq for rescuing the sector from near collapse. She revealed that the current administration had inherited a system plagued by neglect, including a seven-month salary backlog and several unaccredited programmes.
“Governor AbdulRazaq not only cleared the backlog but also paid over one billion naira owed to staff by the previous administration,” Hajia Modibbo Kawu stated. “The rot we met was unimaginable. What the Governor has done in a few years shows strong leadership and a sincere passion for the development of education. He is truly a listening and responsible leader.”
The Commissioner also commended the NCCE team for their professional and thorough assessment of the college, adding that their work gives hope to the future of the country. “You didn’t just point out our strengths but also gave a constructive and honest review of our challenges. It’s a reminder that integrity and professionalism still thrive in Nigeria,” she said.
She disclosed that a special task team was inaugurated in December to address key institutional challenges and that many of its recommendations are already being implemented.
Also speaking, the Acting Provost of the College, Dr. Ayinde Shehu Jawondo, expressed gratitude to the Governor for rescuing the institution from total collapse. “We were at the brink, but His Excellency’s intervention changed everything. If you had come earlier, it would have been a tragic picture,” he told the visiting team.
The Head of the NCCE accreditation team, Mrs. Chibuzor Ekuwonye, commended the college’s technical strength but clarified that their report remains provisional until the NCCE management gives final approval. She advised the college leadership to work on addressing areas of concern, especially in enhancing the learning environment.
A team member, Dr. Otuniyi, explained that their review covered both Institutional and Programme Accreditation, including leadership quality, administrative efficiency, and student support services. He emphasized the need for urgent improvements in the Directorate of Quality Assurance.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Ben Udoh, another member of the team, thanked the Kwara State Government for its investments in the institution and praised the college’s management for their hospitality and openness during the visit.
