Kwara Closes College of Education Over Security Concerns, PDP Criticises Move

The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Kwara State College of Education, Oro, citing rising insecurity in the area. The directive, issued on January 20, 2026, by the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Technology and signed by Commissioner Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, instructed the institution to halt academic activities with immediate effect, following Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s orders.

According to the memo, the closure is aimed at protecting staff, students, and the surrounding community and will remain in place pending a security review and further directives. The school management is required to report compliance to the ministry promptly.

The move comes amid escalating insecurity in Kwara South and North, including banditry, kidnappings, and other criminal activities. It follows similar precautionary measures, such as relocating the NYSC orientation camp from Yikpata to Ilorin and shutting down other schools in volatile areas.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the decision, describing it as a sign of the government “surrendering to insecurity.” In a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party argued that the closure undermines education and warned that it would worsen economic and social hardship in the region.

The PDP further accused Governor AbdulRazaq of poor leadership and absence from the state, urging traditional leaders and stakeholders to speak against what it called a dangerous precedent.

The closure of the College of Education follows a similar directive earlier this week to shut down the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, after student protests over the institution’s use as a temporary NYSC orientation camp.

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