Kwara State University

Kwara State University
	KWASU gateway
Motto	...the Green University for community development and entrepreneurship
Type	Public
Established	2009
Chancellor	Engr. Johnson Bamidele Adewumi FNSE
Vice-Chancellor	Vice-Chancellor Professor Shyakh-Luqman Jimoh
Students	over 40,000
Undergraduates	over 35,000
Postgraduates	over 2,000
Doctoral students	over 500
Address	P.M.B 1530 Ilorin, 23431, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria
Campus	Rural
Nickname	The World Class University
Website	www.kwasu.edu.ng

Kwara State University (KWASU), is a public state research university located in Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria. It is the 77th university to be registered by the NUC, and the 95th university to be recognized in Nigeria. The university has about 60 academic departments spread across 10 faculties.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi Senate Building

The university was established by the administration of Dr. Bukola Saraki in 2009, and envisioned to be more than a typical university in Nigeria.^[5] It was designed to be a centre for community service and entrepreneurship. In a country where the fundamental values of volunteerism and community involvement are yet to be fully embraced, the university recognises itself as a part of a community and has the position of a Director for Community Development to mobilize the community, set assessment strategies, and identifying the needs within the community so that lecturers can use their expertise to impact directly on the communities. KWASU held her first convocation on 1 June 2013 and inaugurated the KWASU Alumni Association with Oyinloye Damilare Peter as the pioneer President.^[6]^[7]

History/Organization

The journey towards establishing a state university in Kwara State began on 11 July 2007 when the Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki inaugurated a planning committee under the former governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi to prepare the ground for the establishment of the Kwara State University. The Bill for the Kwara State University was signed into law on 24 December 2008.^[1] The certificate and instrument to operate the university was obtained on 9 February 2009 from the National Universities Commission (NUC). The pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdul Rasheed Na'Allah, who until his appointment, was Chair of the African American Studies Department of the Western Illinois University, Macomb, United States of America, assumed office on 28 July 2009. The current Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari who was before his appointment a seasoned scholar and international diplomat, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari is the pioneer chancellor of the school, Johnson Adewunmi the current chancellor was appointed on Monday, 25 May 2020 by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.^[8] When fully operational, the university is planned to have its academic activities operate from three campuses located in Malete, Ilesha-Baruba and Osi-Opin.^[1]

Campuses

The Kwara State University was designed to be a multi-campus university with three campuses; the main campus in Malete with satellite campuses in Ilesha Baruba and Osi Opin. The Malete Campus is the main campus and houses the Senate Building, Main Library, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Arts. The Osi Campus in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, when completed, is to accommodate the proposed Faculty of Environmental Sciences. The Ilesha Baruba Campus in the Baruteen Local Government Area will permanently host the Faculty of Agriculture, when completed. However the satellite campuses are at various stages of development and awaiting completion.

Library

In July 2019, the university in honour of its outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdulrasheed Na'Allah commissioned what was adjudged the best Library in the whole of West Africa at that time. The edifice was named after the former president, Muhammadu Buhari. The Muhammadu Buhari Library boasts of modern infrastructure to reflect the world class nature of the university.^[9]

Rankings

According to 2024 Webometrics Rankings, the Kwara State University was ranked as the 25th best university in Nigeria out of over 200. Making it the fifth-best state government-owned university in Nigeria and the best state university in Northern Nigeria. The university has featured consistently over the years as a top-ranked university in the Nigerian university system.^[10]

Academics

Kwara State University has several academic centres. One such centre is the Centre for Ecology and Environmental Management and Studies CEERMS, which recently received a grant from UNESCO worth $15.3 million to be used over six years to establish the UNESCO Chair for Alternative Energy Programme. This grant is for research in Alternative Energy and is to be handled by Kwara State University Centre for Ecological and Environmental Research Management Studies (CEERMS).^[11] Other centre of the university are: Centre for Oral Traditions in Africa, Institute for Asian Studies, Institute for Advanced Military Studies, Japanese Language and Culture Institute,^[12] Ibrahim Gambari Centre for the Study of United Nations and Regional Organizations, Centre for Pre-degree and Remedial Studies, Centre for Human Rights and the law, Centre for Modernity and Religion, Centre for Art Preservation, Centre for Sponsored Projects, Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Research, KWASU International Institute for Publishing Studies, Centre for Innovative Technology, Center for Innovation and International Studies, Centre for Bio-Computational Applications and the centre for Entrepreneurship.^{[citation needed]}

The Centre for Entrepreneurship, the first of its kind in Nigeria,^[13] is aimed at preparing its graduates to identify and recognize opportunities through an orientation towards job creation. The university works with students still in the university, to propose and implement a project. As the students graduate, the university partners with the students in implementing the various projects.^[14] It also created a start-up fund that is accessible to students for this purpose. Presently, Kwara State University offers students an opportunity to propose their research projects to the school under Undergraduate Research Day, an annual event where students of the institution present research work for funding and global recognition.^[15]^[16]

While KWASU plans to expand its study abroad locations, it currently has a partnership with Thammasat University in Thailand; Korean Advanced Institute of Technology (KAIST), South Korea; Columbia University, New York, USA; University of the State of Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil; Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, USA; etc.^[17] Its teaching staff consists of scholars such as Prof. Leo Daniels, MLK Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (MIT) as Provost at the College of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Abiola Irele from Harvard University as Provost at the College of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences; and Prof. Winston Wole Soboyejo from Princeton University among others.^[17]

The National Universities Commission (NUC), has approved Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering as a course in Kwara State University (KWASU). Being the first institution in Nigeria to offer a (B.Eng.) in Aeronautical and Astronautical engineering. A statement issued by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Abdulrasheed Na'Allah "I must congratulate all our students and staff in Engineering, especially the department of aeronautical and astronautical engineering for their hard work and patience, that have led to this great success."^[18]^[19]^[20]^[21]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "About Kwasu". Retrieved 18 March 2011.
^ "KWASU has no affiliation with Ekiti Study Centre - Management". 8 September 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
^ "Hostel fee: KWASU students lament school policy". Vanguard News. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
^ "Kwara State University students agitated over proposed tuition fee hike". International Centre for Investigative Reporting. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
^ "Kwara State University (KWASU)". Nigerian Scholars. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
^ "Entrepreneurship: Igniting the Spirit From the Cradle". Thisday. 24 March 2011. p. 24.
^ "KWASU seeks to boost IGR through tourism". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
^ "Premium Times - Nigeria leading newspaper for news, investigations". Retrieved 17 January 2021.
^ "KWASU commissioned biggest library in West Africa". Naija Loaded. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
^ https://www.webometrics.info/en/africa/nigeria
^ "Kwara State University". Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
^ "7th Convocation: 25 KWASU graduates bag first class". National Telescope. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
^ "The Entrepreneurship Center". Retrieved 15 March 2011.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ Ani, Lawrence (9 April 2011). "Making Every Child Count". Thisday. p. 36.
^ "KWASU Awards Research Grants to 26 Students - MySchoolGist". www.myschoolgist.com. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
^ "Undergraduate Research Day - KWASU". Campus Trybe. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
^ ^a ^b Olaiya, Tope (27 March 2011). "KWASU teaches students how to be good entrpreneurs". Guardian.
^ "KWASU Begins Aeronautical Engineering Programme". Business Post Nigeria. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
^ "Kwara State University is first Nigerian uni to offer aeronautical engineering". TheCable. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
^ Mahmud, Maryam (1 March 2017). "Kwara State University Gets NUC Approval For Aeronautical Engineering Programme". Students Nigeria. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
^ "KWASU Becomes First Nigerian University To Offer Aeronautical Engineering". Nigerian Bulletin - Top Nigeria News Links. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2020.

External links

Kwara State University Website

[AboutKwasu-1] "About Kwasu". Retrieved 18 March 2011.

[2] "KWASU has no affiliation with Ekiti Study Centre - Management". 8 September 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2021.

[3] "Hostel fee: KWASU students lament school policy". Vanguard News. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.

[4] "Kwara State University students agitated over proposed tuition fee hike". International Centre for Investigative Reporting. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2021.

[5] "Kwara State University (KWASU)". Nigerian Scholars. Retrieved 16 August 2023.

[6] "Entrepreneurship: Igniting the Spirit From the Cradle". Thisday. 24 March 2011. p. 24.

[7] "KWASU seeks to boost IGR through tourism". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.

[8] "Premium Times - Nigeria leading newspaper for news, investigations". Retrieved 17 January 2021.

[9] "KWASU commissioned biggest library in West Africa". Naija Loaded. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2023.

[10] ttps://www.webometrics.info/en/africa/nigeria

[11] "Kwara State University". Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.

[12] "7th Convocation: 25 KWASU graduates bag first class". National Telescope. Retrieved 21 January 2024.

[13] "The Entrepreneurship Center". Retrieved 15 March 2011.^{[permanent dead link]}

[14] Ani, Lawrence (9 April 2011). "Making Every Child Count". Thisday. p. 36.

[15] "KWASU Awards Research Grants to 26 Students - MySchoolGist". www.myschoolgist.com. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2020.

[16] "Undergraduate Research Day - KWASU". Campus Trybe. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2020.

[Olaiya-17] Olaiya, Tope (27 March 2011). "KWASU teaches students how to be good entrpreneurs". Guardian.

[18] "KWASU Begins Aeronautical Engineering Programme". Business Post Nigeria. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2020.

[19] "Kwara State University is first Nigerian uni to offer aeronautical engineering". TheCable. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2020.

[20] Mahmud, Maryam (1 March 2017). "Kwara State University Gets NUC Approval For Aeronautical Engineering Programme". Students Nigeria. Retrieved 3 March 2020.

[21] "KWASU Becomes First Nigerian University To Offer Aeronautical Engineering". Nigerian Bulletin - Top Nigeria News Links. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2020.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

v t e Association of African Universities
Algeria	Algiers 1 University Constantine 1 University Oran 1 University University of Ouargla University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene
Angola	Agostinho Neto University
Benin	University of Abomey-Calavi
Botswana	Botho University Botswana Accountancy College Botswana International University of Science and Technology Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Botswana
Burkina Faso	Nazi Boni University University of Ouagadougou
Burundi	University of Burundi
Cameroon	University of Bamenda University of Buea University of Douala University of Dschang University of Maroua University of Ngaoundéré University of Yaoundé I
Cape Verde	Jean Piaget University of Cape Verde
Central African Republic	EUCLID University of Bangui
Chad	University of N'Djamena
Republic of the Congo	Marien Ngouabi University
Cote d'Ivoire	International University of Grand-Bassam Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Catholic University of Bukavu University of Kinshasa University of Kisangani University of Lubumbashi
Egypt	Ain Shams University Al-Azhar University Alexandria Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology Alexandria University Benha University Cairo University Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology Egyptian e-Learning University Helwan University Mansoura University Menoufia University Minya University Misr University for Science and Technology October 6 University Pharos University in Alexandria South Valley University Suez Canal University Tanta University The American University in Cairo The British University in Egypt University of Sadat City Zagazig University
Eritrea	University of Asmara
Eswatini	University of Eswatini
Ethiopia	Addis Ababa Science and Technology University Addis Ababa University Ethiopian Civil Service University Haramaya University Hawassa University Jimma University Mekelle University St. Mary's University Wollega University
Gabon	Omar Bongo University
Ghana	Accra Institute of Technology Accra Technical University African University College of Communications All Nations University Ashesi University Bluecrest University College Central University George Grant University of Mines and Technology Ghana Institute of Languages Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration Koforidua Technical University Kumasi Technical University Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Methodist University College Ghana Pentecost University Presbyterian University College Radford University College Regent University College of Science and Technology Regional Maritime University University for Development Studies University of Cape Coast University of Education, Winneba University of Energy and Natural Resources University of Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences University of Professional Studies University of Media, Arts and Communication Valley View University Wisconsin International University College Zenith University College
Kenya	African Virtual University Catholic University of Eastern Africa Daystar University Dedan Kimathi University of Technology Egerton University International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Kenyatta University Maseno University Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Moi University Mount Kenya University Multimedia University of Kenya South Eastern Kenya University Strathmore University Umma University University of Eldoret University of Nairobi
Lesotho	National University of Lesotho
Liberia	Cuttington University Stella Maris Polytechnic University United Methodist University
Libya	Al Asmarya University for Islamic Sciences Al Zawiya University Misurata University Sabha University University of Benghazi University of Tripoli
Madagascar	University of Antananarivo University of Toamasina University of Toliara
Malawi	Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Malawi University of Science and Technology UNICAF University of Malawi
Mali	University of Bamako
Mauritania	University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya
Mauritius	Open University of Mauritius University of Mauritius University of Technology, Mauritius
Morocco	Mohammed First University Mohammed V University University of al-Qarawiyyin
Mozambique	Catholic University of Mozambique Eduardo Mondlane University Maputo University
Namibia	International University of Management Namibia University of Science and Technology University of Namibia
Niger	Abdou Moumouni University Higher Institute of Mining, Industry and Geology Maryam Abacha American University Niger
Nigeria	Abia State University Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Adamawa State University Ahmadu Bello University Al-Hikmah University Babcock University Bayero University Bells University of Technology Bowen University Crawford University Delta State University, Abraka Ebonyi State University Federal University of Technology, Minna Federal University of Technology, Owerri Federal University of Technology, Yola Gombe State University Kogi State University Kwara State University Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Michael Okpara University of Agriculture National Open University of Nigeria Niger Delta University Nnamdi Azikiwe University Osun State University Pan-Atlantic University Redeemer's University Rivers State University University of Abuja University of Africa University of Agriculture, Abeokuta University of Agriculture, Makurdi University of Benin University of Calabar University of Ibadan University of Ilorin University of Lagos University of Port Harcourt University of Uyo Usman Dan Fodio University
Rwanda	Université Nationale du Rwanda
Sierra Leone	Njala University University of Sierra Leone
Somalia	Benadir University East Africa University Puntland State University
South Africa	Cape Peninsula University of Technology Central University of Technology Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University North-West University Rhodes University University of Cape Town University of Fort Hare University of Johannesburg University of KwaZulu-Natal University of the Free State University of Limpopo University of Pretoria University of South Africa University of Stellenbosch University of the Western Cape University of the Witwatersrand University of Venda University of Zululand Walter Sisulu University
South Sudan	University of Juba
Sudan	El Imam El Mahdi University Omdurman Ahlia University Red Sea University University of Science and Technology
Tanzania	Ardhi University Muslim University of Morogoro Mzumbe University St. Augustine University of Tanzania The Open University of Tanzania University of Dar es Salaam Zanzibar University
The Gambia	University of the Gambia
Togo	Université de Lomé
Uganda	Busitema University Uganda Christian University Uganda Management Institute Uganda Martyrs University
Zambia	Cavendish University Copperbelt University Mulungushi University University of Zambia Zambian Open University
Zimbabwe	Africa University Bindura University of Science Education Chinhoyi University of Technology Great Zimbabwe University Harare Institute of Technology Lupane State University Midlands State University National University of Science and Technology University of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Open University

v t e Universities in Nigeria
Federal	Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo Ahmadu Bello University Bayero University Kano Federal University, Birnin Kebbi Federal University Dutse Federal University, Dutsin-Ma Federal University, Gashua Federal University, Gusau Federal University Kashere Federal University, Lokoja Federal University, Otuoke Federal University Oye Ekiti Federal University, Wukari Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru Federal University of Lafia Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun Federal University of Technology Akure Federal University of Technology, Minna Federal University of Technology Owerri Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Modibbo Adama Federal University of Technology, Yola National Open University of Nigeria Nigeria Maritime University Nigerian Army University Biu Nigerian Defence Academy Nnamdi Azikiwe University Obafemi Awolowo University University of Abuja University of Agriculture, Makurdi University of Benin University of Calabar University of Ibadan University of Ilorin University of Jos University of Lagos University of Maiduguri University of Nigeria University of Port Harcourt University of Uyo Usmanu Danfodiyo University
State	Abia State University Uturu Adamawa State University Adekunle Ajasin University Akwa Ibom State University Ambrose Alli University Bauchi State University Bayelsa Medical University Benue State University Borno State University Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Cross River University of Technology Delta State University Ebonyi State University Edo University, Iyamho Ekiti State University Enugu State University of Science and Technology Gombe State University Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Imo State University Kaduna State University Kano State University of Technology Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Kogi State University Kwara State University Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Lagos State University Nasarawa State University Niger Delta University Olabisi Onabanjo University Ondo State University of Science and Technology Osun State University Plateau State University Rivers State University Sokoto State University Sule Lamido University Tai Solarin University of Education Taraba State University The Polytechnic, Ibadan Umaru Musa Yar'adua University University of Africa, Toru-Orua Yobe State University Bukar Abba Ibrahim University Yusuf Maitama Sule University Zamfara State University
Private	Achievers University Afe Babalola University Ajayi Crowther University Al-Hikmah University American University of Nigeria Anchor University Arthur Jarvis University Augustine University Ilara Babcock University Baze University Bells University of Technology Benson Idahosa University Bingham University Bowen University Caleb University Caritas University CETEP City University Chrisland University Christopher University Coal City University Covenant University Crawford University Crescent University Elizade University Fountain University Godfrey Okoye University Gregory University Hezekiah University Igbinedion University Joseph Ayo Babalola University Kings University Koladaisi University Kwararafa University Landmark University Lead City University Madonna University McPherson University Mountain Top University Nile University of Nigeria Novena University Obong University Oduduwa University Pan-Atlantic University Paul University Peaceland University Redeemer's University Nigeria Renaissance University Rhema University Ritman University Salem University Samuel Adegboyega University Tansian University University of Mkar Veritas University Wellspring University Wesley University Western Delta University