Education

Kwara Gov Swears-In SA on Education Inaugurates Committee On University of Education

Published

3 years ago

November 18, 2023

…It’s a great vision, a step in the right direction: Prof Oba

Joel Ajayi

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday swore in the new Special Adviser on Education Dr. Ariyike Salau, with the Governor saying that her appointment was to strengthen the policy direction in the education sector of the state.

AbdulRazaq said the administration is taking all necessary steps to bequeath an education system that gives every Kwara child a fair shot in the race of life.

“One of the legacies we want to leave for this state is a strong education system that gives every Kwara child a fair shot in the race of life. We want to ensure that our education offers learning outcomes that align with the 21st-century realities,” the Governor said late Friday in Ilorin, the state capital.

“Over the last four years, we have made significant investments in school infrastructure, sanitation facilities, information communication technology, recruitment of quality teachers, and prompt payment of their salaries, among other steps. We will do a lot more within the constraints of resources as the government also has a duty to build infrastructure that supports a stronger economy and ensures that no segment of society is left behind.

“The appointment of a renowned expert to join our great team will strengthen our policy direction in the education sector, especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This is necessary to give solid backgrounds to our children at the basic and senior secondary levels.”

The Governor similarly inaugurated the committee on the establishment of the proposed Kwara State University of Education which is chaired by educationist and former Vice Chancellor University of Ilorin Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem.

Other members of the committee include Deacon Pastor Afolayan J. Babatunde (Secretary); Prof. (Mrs) Medinat Salman; Prof. (Mrs) Sidikat F. Adeyemi; Prof. Umar Gunu; Engineer Sa’ad Belgore; Mrs. Risikat Lawal; Femi Aina; former Special Adviser on Special Duties Alhaji Abubakar Abdul-Razaq Jiddah; and a representative each of the Ministries of Housing and Urban Development and Justice.

The Governor said: “I am proud to inaugurate this afternoon the committee of top educationists, bureaucrats, and patriots who have been selected to midwife the establishment of the proposed Kwara State University of Education. This is a historic duty.

“I trust the committee to do a great job that would become a shining legacy for all of us.”

He congratulated the appointees and thanked them for agreeing to serve the state, pledging to give them the support to succeed.

The brief ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor Prince Abdul Kadir Mahe; Senior Adviser and Counselor Alhaji Sa’adu Salau; Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu; and Commissioner for Tertiary Education Dr. Mary Arinde.

Chairman, of the Committee on Study, Planning, and Implementation of the proposed Kwara State University of Education, Prof Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, for his part, commended the Governor’s foresight and commitment to advancing the state’s education system, calling it the right step in the right direction.

“I must begin by appreciating the foresight and commitment of Your Excellency in always thinking about the advancement of education in Kwara State, especially your decision to establish a University of Education. It is the right step in the right direction. That again confirms the leadership of Kwara in the whole of North Central and in Nigeria in innovation in education,” he said.

He said universities of education are the next thing that the system requires to nurture a knowledge-based economy, noting that the credit goes to AbdulRazaq if Kwara is at the forefront of establishing that in the region.

He assured that the committee will work hard towards the realization of the objectives.

“When you first discussed this idea with me, I almost thought it was one of those political things, but knowing you and having worked with you on this project thus far, I know you have the commitment to the people of Kwara State to deliver to them education worthy of our status,” Professor Oba added.

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Education

Igbinedion University, EduTech Global Partner On Digital Education, Access

Mr. Femi Shonubi, Co-Founder/CTO – EduTech Global

Published

2 months ago

August 18, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Igbinedion University, Okada, one of Nigeria’s leading private universities, has entered into a strategic partnership with EduTech Global to accelerate its digital learning ambitions, expand access to its academic programmes to students in the country.

Through the partnership, EduTech will provide digital learning infrastructure and technology support for the University’s Distance Learning Centre (DLC), thereby enabling learners to access quality university education beyond the conventional campus environment.

The partnership reflects Igbinedion University’s ambition to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape by combining its academic heritage with technology, innovation and new models of learning that contribute to national workforce development.

Speaking on the partnership, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the collaboration represented a significant step in the university’s ambition to produce graduates equipped for national and global impact.

He said: “At Igbinedion University, our mandate has always been to lead in producing graduates equipped for national and global impact. This partnership with EduTech Global represents a bold step into the future of higher education in Nigeria.
“By expanding our digital learning infrastructure, we are not just breaking down geographical barriers; we are actively contributing to national workforce development by ensuring that quality, industry-aligned education is accessible to every driven learner, regardless of location.”

In his remarks, Director, Igbinedion University Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Gideon Bawa, said the university was motivated by the opportunity to transform its existing processes, which hitherto were being handled manually, and build a more efficient and scalable distance learning model.

The Director clarified: “The growth recorded by institutions that have leveraged EduTech’s technology and expertise was a major factor in our decision to engage the company. We are confident that this partnership will position Igbinedion University to achieve significant growth in enrolment while strengthening the quality and efficiency of our Distance Learning Centre.”

“With this partnership, we expect to move most of our administrative and academic activities online through EduTech. This will improve efficiency, enhance the learner experience and allow our facilitators and students to engage more effectively through a connected digital learning environment”, Bawa added.

Commenting on the collaboration, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, EduTech Global, Femi Shonubi, pointed out that technology had been redefining the boundaries of what a university can offer, adding that EduTech’s role extends beyond putting courses online.

Shonubi expatiated: “Technology’s true value lies in its ability to drive tangible socio-economic impact through education. By dismantling physical boundaries, we are empowering institutions like Igbinedion University to democratise access to high-quality learning. This is about more than online courses; it is about developing a resilient, highly skilled workforce at scale to meet the demands of the modern economy.

“We are helping institutions build connected learning ecosystems that support the student journey from application and enrolment through learning, assessment and graduation. Igbinedion University’s ambition to lead in innovative education aligns strongly with what we are building at EduTech.”

General Manager, Edutech Global, Moyosore Asubiojo said the partnership arises as demand grows for flexible higher education among working professionals, entrepreneurs and learners seeking alternatives to traditional full-time campus education.

She asserted that by combining Igbinedion University’s academic competence with EduTech’s technology capabilities, the collaboration will create new pathways to quality education and workforce development while enabling the University to expand beyond its traditional geographical footprint.

Analysts believe that the partnership between the university and the tech company represents a shared commitment to making higher education more accessible, flexible and scalable, while positioning the university to compete and lead in the next generation of technology-enabled education in Nigeria and globally.

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