Prof. Ali Ahmad Raises Concern over New Kwara University of Education: Don’t Displace One Institution to Improvise Another
Prof. Ali Ahmad, an accomplished academic, renowned Professor of Constitutional Law, and former policymaker, has raised serious concerns over the recent establishment of the Kwara State University of Education within the premises of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin. Drawing from his wealth of experience in both governance and academia, Prof. Ahmad emphasized that true educational reform must be anchored in structure, foresight, and respect for institutional legacy—not expediency or improvisation.
In a statement issued on the matter, Prof. Ahmad questioned the rationale and long-term vision behind creating a new university without laying a foundational infrastructure, establishing a distinct academic identity, or providing a clear legal framework. He described the move as one that risks turning a vital educational sector into a site of confusion and instability, rather than growth and excellence.
Governance is not merely about initiating projects; it is about initiating impactful and sustainable ones, Prof. Ahmad said. “In education, where policy decisions shape generations, success lies not in multiplying institution names but in the integrity of planning and the legacy such institutions leave behind.
Prof. Ahmad recalled his direct involvement as a member of the steering committee that oversaw the establishment of the Kwara State University (KWASU). That experience, he said, demonstrated what becomes possible when government invests in careful planning, stakeholder consultation, and professional input. “KWASU was not an afterthought. It was a product of visioning, backed by law, infrastructure, and a clear academic philosophy. That is why it continues to stand tall among its peers today.
He noted with concern that instead of replicating the deliberate and successful model that birthed KWASU, the government has chosen to install a new university within the existing College of Education—reallocating its lecture halls, library, clinic, and offices—without constructing new facilities or separating both institutions academically and administratively.
This raises troubling questions, he continued. Is the Kwara State College of Education being quietly phased out? What becomes of the thousands of NCE students and the dedicated staff whose careers are tied to the College? No institution thrives in ambiguity. You cannot displace one to plant another without creating loss and disruption.
Prof. Ahmad emphasized that sustainable education reform should be evolutionary, not destructive. He urged the government to emulate other states that have successfully transitioned their Colleges of Education into universities through transparent processes that preserve institutional legacy, enhance academic quality, and maintain stability.
Kwara has the capacity to do the same,” he stated. “But what we are witnessing now is not transformation—it is improvisation. Starting a university without laying a foundation, while dismantling a functioning college, is not good governance; it is risky policy.
Reiterating that governance should be judged by enduring legacies, not political cycles, Prof. Ahmad maintained that the Kwara State University of Education—if it must be established—deserves its own foundation, campus, and philosophy. Anything less, he said, would be a disservice to the state’s educational future.
The Kwara State College of Education, which has trained thousands of teachers over the decades, deserves more than to be silently replaced or sidelined. The new university, if not properly established, risks becoming an experiment without roots. That is not how to treat a legacy institution. This path, if not urgently reviewed, may become a costly mistake that history will not forget, he concluded.
Signed:
Sa’ad Ayinde
Media Assistant to Prof. Ali Ahmad
Former Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly