The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED), Professor Medinat Folorunso Salman, has explained why the university was established despite the existence of several tertiary institutions in the state capital.

Speaking in Ilorin, she said that the lack of qualified and professional teachers in the education sector of the country informed the need to establish the University of Education.

She said, "The University is therefore strategically positioned to contribute meaningfully to the development of the education sector through the training and production of competent, professionally equipped and well-grounded teachers."

She added that, "The Kwara State University of Education is unique because it is the only university in Kwara State dedicated exclusively to teacher education. Our focus is specifically on producing highly qualified, competent and professionally grounded teachers who will contribute meaningfully to the development of the education sector and the society at large."

The Vice-Chancellor was particular about the deliberate efforts of the governor to put the university on a sound foundation by having Professor Shuaib Oba AbdulRaheem as Chairman of the KWASUED Governing Council.

Professor Shuaib Oba AbdulRaheem, a professor emeritus and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, saw to it that competent staff (both academic and non-academic) were recruited to pioneer the commencement of the university.

She appreciated the state governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Governing Council of the University, under the leadership of Professor Shuaib Oba AbdulRaheem, for providing the conducive atmosphere for the recruitment of the university's foundation staff on merit.

"I must state that this has greatly helped the nascent University to commence its operations on a strong and solid footing. We are committed to building a team of competent, dedicated and highly qualified academic and non-teaching staff who will contribute to the realisation of the University's vision and mission," she said.

On the courses being offered at the university and the accreditation status, she said, "Being a new University that commenced academic activities in the 2025/2026 academic session, our courses are not yet due for accreditation. The programmes will become due for accreditation when our pioneer students progress to the 300 Level. However, all the academic programmes currently being run by the University have been fully approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC)."

Professor Salman also explained that everything was being done to ensure that the pioneer students were taught by core professionals, to enable them to make maximum impact in the education sector after graduation.

The Vice-Chancellor said that, "The University is privileged to have distinguished Professors on Sabbatical Leave, as well as other experienced academics engaged as Adjunct Staff, who are contributing their expertise to the growth and development of the University."

She, however, identified a few teething problems which she said the Governing Council was already taking proactive steps to solve.

"One of the major challenges we are currently facing is the issue of space, particularly as we anticipate an increase in student enrolment with the admission of more fresh students.

"However, Management is taking proactive steps to address this challenge and ensure that the University continues to provide a conducive environment for teaching, learning and research," she said.

Professor Salman also looked into the future of KWASUED, saying, "The future plan of the University is to build a world-class institution that will produce highly competent, innovative and morally upright graduates capable of transforming society.

"We intend to achieve this by providing quality teacher education, promoting research and innovation, and inculcating acceptable values in our students so that they can positively influence our children, future generations and society at large.

"Ultimately, our goal is to establish KWASUED as a centre of excellence in teacher education, producing graduates who will make meaningful contributions to the development of Kwara State, Nigeria and beyond," she said.

Kwara State University of Education, which was established by the State House of Assembly in July 2024, took off with 1,171 pioneer students and 134 staff comprising both academic and non-academic.

The institution, which has its permanent site in Alalubosa in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State with infrastructure at 40 per cent in progress, currently runs its programmes in designated buildings within the premises of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, where the students attend lectures. The university and the College of Education, however, operate independently of each other.