Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq has approved the immediate perimeter fencing of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, to curb the activities of land encroachers and land grabbers around the institution.

Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, the Rector of the Polytechnic, disclosed this on Monday, stating that the Governor's directive was driven by concerns for the safety and security of students, staff, and the institution's assets.

Mohammed made the disclosure during a media parley jointly organised by the Department of Strategic Communication and Media Studies and the Information and Publications Division of the Polytechnic. The event was themed, "The New Kwara in Kwara Poly."

According to the Rector, the institution, established over 40 years ago, has long grappled with encroachment, as land grabbers allegedly sold portions of the Polytechnic's land to unsuspecting buyers and erected residential buildings on some parts of the property.

The Governor's approval is a significant step, as the Polytechnic's management has repeatedly appealed for a fence to secure the over 1,000 hectares of land that have been encroached upon, a situation that has previously hindered developmental projects and course accreditations. The Rector noted that the Governor has instructed that no structure belonging to encroachers should be demolished until further directives are issued.

He added that some of the encroachers had continued to lay claim to the land, insisting on its original ownership.

"You are all aware of the challenges we face, particularly encroachment and land grabbing. Now, our governor has approved the perimeter fencing of the institution. This is the most recent directive concerning Kwara Polytechnic.

"He has ordered that the fencing be carried out immediately but instructed that no structure belonging to encroachers should be demolished until further directives are issued.

"He also asked us to report any disturbances encountered during the exercise. The fencing is crucial to safeguarding our students," the Rector added.

Earlier, Sa'adatu Modibbo-Kawu, Commissioner for Tertiary Education, who was represented by Rodiah Yahaya, Director of Research and Development in the Ministry, formally declared the programme open.

She commended the organisers for strategically positioning students for greater opportunities and urged students of the Polytechnic to remain committed to contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of the institution and themselves.

Saadudeen Salahu, the Senior Adviser and Counsellor to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, noted that the governor had transformed the Polytechnic from a state of critical decay into a model of sustainable institutional investment and digital readiness, in line with the vision of its founding fathers.

He noted that the administration recognises education as the most consequential investment for a state's sustainable economic future, leading to a comprehensive systemic overhaul over the past seven years.

"This transformation is evident in fiscal responsibility, staff welfare, and consistent funding. Unlike in the past, salaries of academic and non-academic staff across all tiers are now paid promptly," he said.

Salahu also highlighted unprecedented prioritisation of staff training, promotion, and welfare aimed at reversing brain drain and restoring staff morale.

He further listed strategic financial planning, infrastructure development, state-wide school renewal, establishment of tertiary education pillars, digital innovation and future readiness described as "The Kwara Model" as some of the governor's notable achievements in the education sector.