Insecurity: Kwara shuts college of education

The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the Kwara State College of Education, Oro, citing worsening security conditions in the area.

The directive was conveyed in an internal memo dated January 20, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Technology signed by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu.

According to the document, the decision followed the directive of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and was prompted by rising insecurity around the institution.

The government noted that the closure aligns with its broader decision to shut schools within the affected local government area.

“The measure is taken in the best interest of the safety and security of staff, students and the surrounding community,” the memo stated.

It added that academic activities at the college are to cease with immediate effect and will remain suspended pending a comprehensive security assessment and further instructions from the state government.

The memo also directed the management of the institution to ensure full compliance and submit a report to the ministry without delay.

The closure comes amid escalating security challenges in parts of Kwara South and North, where incidents of banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities have been reported in recent months.

The state government has taken similar precautionary measures in recent times, including relocating the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp from Yikpata to Ilorin and temporarily shutting down schools in volatile areas.

Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticised the decision, describing it as a sign that the AbdulRazaq administration is overwhelmed by insecurity.

In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the PDP said the closure amounted to an admission of failure by the government.

“The decision to shut down the College of Education, Oro, under the pretext of insecurity shows that the government lacks a clear strategy for addressing the problem and has instead chosen to surrender to criminal elements,” the party said.

The PDP warned that the closure would worsen economic and educational challenges in Kwara South, describing the institution as a critical pillar of the region.

“Education should not become a casualty of insecurity. It is unacceptable to close schools while markets and other public places continue to operate,” the statement added.

The party also accused the governor of poor leadership and urged traditional rulers and other stakeholders to intervene, warning that the move could set a dangerous precedent.

The development comes shortly after the state government ordered the closure of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, following student protests over the temporary use of the institution as an NYSC orientation camp.