The National Universities Commission (NUC) has issued a letter of recognition for the establishment of Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin, to the Governor of the State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
With the approval of the new University of Education, Nigeria now has a total of 274 universities comprising 64 state-owned and 148 private universities.
The Acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Mr. Chris Maiyaki, presented the letter to AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the State, Kayode Afolabi at a brief ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja.
The formal presentation of the letter of recognition for the new University to the governor was done after the delegation submitted the three required strategic documents for establishment of a new University, including the law establishing the institution, which was passed by the Kwara State House of Assembly. Other documents are the Academic Brief and Physical Master Plan.
Maiyaki charged the governor to ensure sustainable funding of the new University and other state-owned tertiary institutions, noting that funding has remained a major issue in university education in Nigeria.
“Funding is not negotiable. The governor must give the university political support. Let the Universities stand the test of time by giving them high level support,” he stated.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Kayode Afolabi, said he was delighted with the recognition of the University, which was established to expand access to quality University education in the state.
Afolabi, expressed commitment of the Governor to improved funding of tertiary institutions in the state, adding that the government of AbdulRazaq has given priority attention to education at all levels.
He disclosed the University has a lot of infrastructure already on ground since it was upgraded from a College of Education to University status.