The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the Kwara State College of Education, Oro, citing a dangerous escalation of security threats in the region. The directive was made public through an internal memo from the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, dated January 20, 2026. Signed by the Commissioner, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu.
The document revealed that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq sanctioned the shutdown as a protective measure for students, staff, and the host community. This move is part of a wider government mandate to suspend academic activities in schools across the affected local government area until a comprehensive security review is completed.
This decision follows a troubling rise in banditry and kidnappings across Kwara South and North in recent months. The state has already taken several emergency steps to mitigate these risks, including moving the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp from Yikpata to Ilorin and closing other educational facilities in high-risk zones. The Ministry has demanded a compliance report from the college management to ensure the campus is vacated without delay.
However, the closure has sparked a sharp political backlash from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which characterized the move as an admission of defeat by the current administration. In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party accused Governor AbdulRazaq of surrendering to criminals rather than implementing a coherent security strategy.
The PDP argued that the college is an essential economic and educational pillar for Kwara South, warning that its closure would cause unnecessary hardship and set a dangerous precedent for the state’s future. The opposition further questioned why schools are being singled out for closure while other public spaces remain operational, suggesting that the Governor’s approach lacks leadership.
This latest development adds to a week of academic disruption in the state, coming shortly after the government ordered the closure of Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin following student unrest. As the gates at Oro remain locked, stakeholders and traditional rulers are being urged by the opposition to demand more robust protection for the state’s educational institutions.
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