Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, is set to graduate a total of 8,119 students at its 13th convocation ceremony, with 82 of them attaining First Class honours.
Speaking at the pre-convocation press briefing on Tuesday, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh, announced that 7,618 students will receive first degrees, while 501 will be awarded postgraduate degrees. He explained that the classification includes 1,986 Second Class Upper graduates, 4,195 in Second Class Lower, and 1,355 in Third Class. At the postgraduate level, 75 candidates will receive PhDs and 426 will be awarded Master’s degrees.
Professor Jimoh clarified that the temporary movement of students from the Osi and Ilesha Baruba campuses to the main campus was to ensure their full participation in the convocation activities. He stressed that the decision was not connected to security concerns. According to him, the students have been adequately accommodated and will return to their respective campuses immediately after the ceremony and mid-semester break.
He highlighted KWASU’s steady academic expansion, noting that the Osi and Ilesha Baruba campuses have fully commenced academic activities for the 2025/2026 session. The Vice Chancellor said that staff and students of the Faculties of Environmental Sciences, Agriculture, and Veterinary Sciences are now integrated into the communities, contributing to expected socio-economic development.
Professor Jimoh commended the Visitor to the University and Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his commitment to making the multi-campus vision a reality. He also appreciated the Olosi of Osi, Oba Saliu Abdulkareem Adasofegbe Arowobeku I; the Emir of Ilesha-Baruba, Professor Halidu Abubakar; and the host communities for their continued support and warm reception.
The Vice Chancellor revealed further academic milestones, noting that KWASU’s fourth-year medical students have resumed training at the State University Teaching Hospital, while 56 Law graduates—comprising the first and second sets—have been called to the Bar this year.
On infrastructure, Professor Jimoh stated that the university continues to record improvements through TETFund interventions. He disclosed that TETFund has approved a N1 billion Special Intervention project for the completion of the Library Annex. He added that all faculties now have ultramodern smart classrooms. Other ongoing projects include the Experience Centre sponsored by the Office of the First Lady and TETFund, the Central Laboratory supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the new Faculty of Law building.
He also noted that KWASU has strengthened partnerships with the private sector, highlighting the completion of a 150-room, 600-bed hostel in Malete through a collaboration with Rangeman Construction Ltd.
On research development, the Vice Chancellor announced that KWASU scholars continue to secure high-impact research grants, particularly in engineering and agriculture. He said Dr. Mustapha Kabiru and Dr. Adesina Lambe Mutalub recently won National Research Fund (NRF) grants.
Professor Jimoh also emphasized the university’s commitment to community empowerment, disclosing that KWASU currently operates four Women Development Centres in Ilorin, Osi, Ilesha-Baruba, and Malete. He said 125 trainees have completed skill-acquisition programmes in ready-to-wear fashion and men’s caps, receiving industrial sewing machines, Android phones for e-marketing, and mentorship support for business start-ups.
