Kwara Govt Orders Immediate Closure of College of Education, Oro

By Victor Agboola

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

The directive was issued by the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Technology in an internal memo dated January 20, 2026.
Signed by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, the memo directed the management of the institution to suspend all academic activities with immediate effect, following the approval of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

According to the memo, the decision was based on rising insecurity around the college and forms part of a wider directive 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 the closure would remain in force until a full security review is completed and further instructions are issued.
The memo also directed the management of the college to submit a compliance report to the ministry without delay.

However, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticized the decision, accusing the Abdulrazaq administration of failing to address insecurity.
In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party described the closure as “surrendering to criminals” and warned that it would worsen economic and educational hardship in Kwara South.

“Education must not become the casualty of insecurity,” the party said, calling on traditional rulers and other stakeholders to intervene.