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By Sola Rotimi
The Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete, Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, has appealed to the Kwara State Government and private investors to provide more on-campus accommodation to address security challenges facing students living off-campus.
The Vice Chancellor made the appeal during the 13th Convocation Ceremony of the university held at the main campus in Malete, Moro Local Government Area.
He noted that the increasing student population across KWASU’s three campuses: Malete, Osi, and Ilesha-Baruba, has not been matched with adequate accommodation facilities, a situation that has exposed students to security risks.
According to him, students living outside the campus are vulnerable to burglaries, assaults, and other security threats.
“We earnestly seek more of such partnerships and even donations which will ensure that more of our students are resident on our Malete, Osi, and Ilesha-Baruba campuses,” he appealed.
The Vice-Chancellor recalled recent security challenges in Malete community, including reports of robberies, but noted that swift intervention by the university management, security agencies, and the Moro Local Government Council helped restore calm.
He said measures such as restriction of movement after 11 p.m., increased deployment of vigilantes and security personnel, and limitations on generator use after midnight have significantly improved security.
Prof. Jimoh added that the University– Community Joint Security Committee remains active to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, stressing however, that expanding on-campus accommodation remains critical to sustaining peace and safety.
He commended a private construction company for the donation of a one hundred and fifty-room hostel on the Malete campus and appealed for similar interventions.
Governor Abdulrazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector.
He noted that KWASU has benefitted immensely from his administration’s investments, including the commissioning of the Osi Campus and the completion of the Ilesha-Baruba Campus.
“Under our leadership, the state has witnessed the commissioning of the KWASU Osi Campus, and the completion of the Ilesha-Baruba Campus, that continue to expand the university’s reach and relevance across the state.
“These interventions demonstrate a clear vision for growth, one that seeks to bring higher education closer to the people while creating opportunities that enhance research, innovation, and community development,” he added.
The Governor noted further that his administration has continued to invest in modern learning facilities, digital tools, and research infrastructure to prepare students for global competitiveness.
According to him these efforts have positioned the State as an emerging hub for quality education in Nigeria.
The Chancellor of the University, Dr. Johnson Adewumi, described KWASU as a centre of excellence in academics, research, entrepreneurship, and community development.
On his part, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, urged the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of the institution.
Radio Nigeria reports that a total of 8,119 students graduated, including 82 bagging First Class division, 1,986 Second Class Upper, 4,195 Second Class Lower, 1,355 Third Class, as well as 426 Master’s degree and 75 PhD recipients.
