Kwara State has temporarily closed a key tertiary institution, the Kwara State College of Education, Oro, citing an urgent need to protect lives and property. This decisive action follows escalating security threats in the region.
The state government and the main opposition party are now locked in a fierce debate. One side frames the closure as a necessary precaution. Conversely, the other condemns it as a failure of leadership.
Government Orders Immediate Closure
Consequently, on January 20, 2026, the state’s Ministry of Tertiary Education issued a directive. Commissioner Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu signed the order. It instructs the college to halt all academic activities immediately.
The memo states the action is “in the best interest of the safety and security of staff, students and the surrounding community.”. It is part of a broader mandate to close all schools within the affected local government area.
Furthermore, the closure will persist until a comprehensive security review is completed. The college management must also submit a compliance report to the ministry without delay.
Context of Rising Insecurity and Recent Unrest
This development occurs amid heightened security concerns in Kwara South and North. Reports of banditry, kidnappings, and other criminal activities have increased in recent months.
Additionally, it mirrors other precautionary government actions. Previously, the state relocated the NYSC orientation camp from Yikpata to Ilorin. It also temporarily shut down some schools in other volatile areas.
Notably, this is the second major institutional closure in Kwara within a week. Earlier, the government shut down Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. That closure followed student protests. The protests were against using the polytechnic as a temporary NYSC camp. Consequently, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq established a panel to probe that incident.
Political Opposition and Heated Criticism
However, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a strong critique. It accuses the administration of “surrendering to insecurity.”.
In a statement, State Publicity Secretary Olusegun Olusola Adewara called the closure an admission of failure. “The directive to shut down the College of Education, Oro, under the guise of insecurity shows that the government has no coherent strategy,” Adewara said.
The PDP argues the institution is vital to the region. It serves as an economic, social, and intellectual backbone for Kwara South. The party warns its closure will deepen hardship.
“Education must not become the casualty of insecurity,” the PDP stated. “A government that claims to be addressing security challenges cannot justify closing schools while markets and other public places remain open.”
The party also criticized the governor’s leadership and alleged prolonged absence from the state. It called on traditional rulers and stakeholders to speak against this “dangerous precedent”. Ultimately, the PDP’s statement was blunt: “If the Governor cannot protect lives and property, then honour demands that he steps aside.”.
Significance of the Affected Institution
The closure impacts a cornerstone of Kwara’s education system. To understand its importance, consider these key facts about the institution:
· Official Name: Kwara State College of Education, Oro
· Establishment Year: 1978 (First established as College of Education, Oro-Ilorin)
· Historical Significance: The oldest of the three colleges of education owned by Kwara State
· Recent Stability: Noted for a stable academic calendar without strikes in recent years
· Recent Activity: Hosted a national conference on leveraging digital technology in July 2025
Moreover, the college was recently proposed as the site for the new Kwara State University of Education. Community leaders advocated for this upgrade to correct a regional imbalance in tertiary institution placement.
In summary, the Kwar State Government has taken a drastic step by closing a historic college. It cites growing security threats as the reason. Meanwhile, the political opposition has seized on the move. It frames the decision as a sign of a failing security strategy. Consequently, the temporary shutdown has ignited a wider debate. This debate is about security, education, and political accountability in the state. The college will remain closed pending a government security review.