Taiwo Ogunniyi
The Kwara State Government has announced the readiness of the Osi and Ilesha Baruba Campuses of the Kwara State University (KWASU) to commence academic activities, marking a significant milestone in Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s commitment to educational development.
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Mary Arinde, disclosed this during an inspection of the Osi Campus in Ekiti Local Government Area on Saturday.
Dr. Arinde revealed that construction work at the Osi Campus is 98 percent complete, paving the way for the resumption of lectures for the 2024/2025 academic session.
“Academic sessions are to begin at the Osi and Ilesha Baruba Campuses of the Kwara State University as the State Government ramps up massive infrastructural development on the campuses,” she said.
Students in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts under the Faculty of Environmental Sciences will commence lectures at the Osi Campus on Monday, November 18, while the Faculty of Agriculture will begin operations at the Ilesha Baruba Campus in January.
Dr. Arinde, accompanied by the Head of Osi Campus, Prof. Binta A. Sulyman, and the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, commended the quality of work delivered by the contractors and consultants.
“From mere looking at the campus buildings, you would see that it is a job well done. And the quality is superb. Over 98 percent of the work has been done, and the finishing touches, including road networks and environmental beautification, are ongoing,” she said.
She praised Governor Abdulrazaq for his dedication to completing the projects, despite initial challenges.
“I give kudos to the Governor for doing so much. The community initially lost hope, but they are now overwhelmed with joy seeing this transformation,” she added.
Prof. Binta highlighted the facilities at the Osi Campus, including lecture theatres with 1,500-2,000 seating capacities, studios, conference rooms, a CBT centre, arts gallery, car parks, and solar-powered street lights.
She expressed gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering support, describing the project as a catalyst for economic growth in the host communities.
“Staff and students of Fine and Applied Arts are already on the ground and have secured accommodations. By next week, lectures will begin here, and more departments will join in January,” she said.
Prof. Binta noted that new academic programmes, including Estate Management, Urban and Regional Development, Geography, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, and Building, will also begin in January, further enhancing the institution’s capacity.
The developments at the Osi and Ilesha Baruba Campuses represent a fulfilled promise by Governor Abdulrazaq, who pledged not to abandon the projects initiated by his predecessor. These efforts underscore his administration’s focus on boosting tertiary education and fostering economic growth across the state.
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