Full List of Universities in Kwara State
Currently, as of 2023, there are a good number of universities in Kwara state. There are eight in total ranging from federal to state and even private universities.
Despite having pockets of Yoruba-speaking people in Kwara state, Kwara state isn’t regarded as a southwestern state. It lies closer to the north geographically.
There is only one federal university in Kwara state, and, also one state university, but there are a whopping six private universities in Kwara state. In this article, we will examine these eight universities.
List of Universities in Kwara State
University of Ilorin
If you are to mention some of the oldest universities in Nigeria, the University of Ilorin is one of them. In fact, they are one of the seven institutions established by the decree of 1975. At its inception, it was known as the University College of Ilorin and affiliated with the University of Ibadan.
It was until two years after, precisely 1977, that UNILORIN became an independent tertiary institution. Since then, the student population has massively increased from nearly two hundred students to over twenty thousand students as of 2006. Also, as of 1976, there were only three faculties but fast-forward to the time of writing, there are ten faculties that house about sixty academic departments.
They are famed for their non-involvement with the body in charge of the welfare of the staff of Nigerian universities. It was until 2021, they rejoined the association and the northwestern university is no longer immune to the ASUU’s industrial strike action.
Kwara State University
The establishment of a state university in Kwara state began when efforts to transform the then Kwara State College of Technology were presented. However, it was until 2002, under the tenure of then governor of Kwara state, Alhaji Mohammed Alabi Lawal, that proposals for the new state university were presented.
It would take as many as five years in 2007, till Kwara State University would see the light of day.
Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin
It was in 2005 that the Abdur-Raheem Oladimeji Islamic Foundation, Ilorin founded is known today as Al-Hikmah University. The university began with just 70 students and three faculties, but presently, the university has expanded to seven faculties, which include: Humanities and Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Education, Law, Health Sciences, and Agriculture. And, of course, a Postgraduate school.
Summit University, Offa
As with many private universities in Kwara state, Summit University was established as a result of the concerted efforts of a group. The Ansar-Ud-Deen is that group. Their identity is reflected in the university making Summit University an Islamic-faith-based institution that provides quality tertiary education regardless of religion, sex, and any other social construct.
Ahman Pategi University
In 2021, the Federal government of Nigeria approved 20 universities, and Ahman Pategi University was one of them. Ahman Pategi University is located in the Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. The region is chiefly an agrarian one with natural resources like fish, rice, sugar cane, millet, and melon as mainstays.
Thomas Adewumi University, Oko
As part of efforts to provide quality infrastructure to the Oko town in Irepodun Local Government Area, the proprietor at the time thought it wise to build a university. The efforts which began in 1997 have grown in leaps and bounds since their approval by the National Universities Council in 2021.
Outside is one of the best private universities in Kwara State, Thomas Adewumi University has continued to run with its vision of excellent education as a means of producing the best graduates that can tackle the novel problems of society.
Landmark University, Omu-Aran
Many private universities in Kwara State were established by strong religious institutions, either it is Islam or Christianity. But, in the case of Landmark University, it is Christianity. Landmark University is a Christian private university founded by the Living Faith Church also known as Winners Chapel.
It is not only one of the rare agricultural universities in Kwara state but also in Nigeria. In fact, the majority of the food products consumed in the school are produced within the university. This includes eggs, flour, soya beans, cassava, rice, and even fufu straight from the university’s farm.
The university is also affiliated with two prominent research institutions namely: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the National Space Research and Development (NASRDA).
Crown Hill University
Located in Eiyekorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Crown Hill University through its state-of-the-art facilities and partnership with many high-profile industries, is focused on promoting knowledge-derived solutions through efficient teaching and learning methods.
Conclusion
As we have seen already, the universities in Kwara state are good in their rights. For any prospective student, choosing to study in any of these universities is a welcome idea as long as the university you choose offers the course you wish to study.
