Education in Kwara State is about to undergo one of its most significant transformations in decades. On 28 August 2025, the government announced the rollout of a ₦20 billion education infrastructure programme designed to modernise schools across all 193 wards in the state.
For Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, this isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It is about giving every child—whether in the remotest village or in Ilorin metropolis—a chance to learn in safe, functional, and inspiring spaces. “This is not just an investment in schools,” explained Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development. “It is an investment in the future of Kwara.”
The new funding, approved in a supplementary budget earlier this month, signals a bold step in the government’s continuous drive to improve the education sector. Over the last five years, the administration has already rehabilitated or constructed more than 1,200 classrooms. This new injection of funds, however, aims to plug remaining gaps and make sure no child is left behind.
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What the Kwara State ₦20bn Programme Will Deliver
The new education initiative is broad in scope, covering both new construction and rehabilitation of existing facilities. Classrooms will be built or upgraded, examination halls will be modernised, and science laboratories will be fitted with equipment to allow for hands-on learning.
Clean water access is also central to the plan. Many schools in rural communities still rely on unsafe water sources, so the project includes the installation of motorised boreholes. Alongside this, modern sanitation blocks will replace outdated toilet systems—an important step in ensuring students, particularly girls, stay in school.
Dr. Olohungbebe emphasised that the design phase is already underway. Once the supplementary budget receives final approval, construction teams will be dispatched across the wards to begin work. “We want to move quickly but also deliberately,” he said, underscoring the importance of community involvement in each stage of the process.
The School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) are expected to play a vital role. These committees, made up of parents, teachers, and local leaders, will help monitor implementation and ensure that the facilities are well maintained. Speaking at the meeting with government officials, SBMC leaders expressed gratitude for the investment and pledged their cooperation.
Kwara State Is Building on the Progress Already Made
Kwara State has earned a reputation for prioritising education since Governor AbdulRazaq assumed office in 2019. The government has channelled a significant portion of its budget—over 26% in 2023, higher than the UNESCO benchmark of 15–20%—into education. This funding has enabled the state to embark on large-scale school rehabilitation, teacher recruitment, and digital learning programmes.
The results are visible. More than 1,254 classrooms have been constructed or rehabilitated, while partnerships with UBEC (Universal Basic Education Commission) and SUBEB (State Universal Basic Education Board) have attracted further resources. Schools in both urban and rural areas now boast improved facilities, from new desks and chairs to solar-powered classrooms.
But challenges remain. A survey conducted in 2024 revealed that over 35% of schools still faced structural deficits, particularly in rural wards where children often sit on bare floors to learn. Many science laboratories were outdated or non-functional, and sanitation facilities were either inadequate or completely absent.
The new ₦20bn infrastructure programme directly targets these gaps. It will ensure that every school, regardless of location, has at least the minimum standard facilities needed for quality learning. As one SBMC leader from Moro Local Government put it, “Our children cannot compete globally if they do not even have decent classrooms. This programme gives us hope.”
Collaboration and Long-Term Impact
Beyond buildings and facilities, the Kwara State initiative is expected to have ripple effects across the education ecosystem. Safe and modern schools are known to boost attendance rates, especially for girls. Reliable water supply and sanitation will reduce health-related absenteeism. Functional laboratories will help prepare students for WAEC and NECO exams, where practical skills are increasingly tested.
Experts also highlight the long-term economic benefits. “Every naira invested in education pays back many times over in productivity, innovation, and reduced poverty,” explained Dr. Bisi Adebayo, an Ilorin-based education consultant. “If Kwara succeeds in fully implementing this ₦20bn programme, it will create a new generation of young people better prepared to drive the state’s development.”
The state government has made clear that collaboration will be essential. Teachers, SBMCs, civil society groups, and private partners are being invited to contribute ideas, provide oversight, and ensure transparency.
For parents like Mrs. Habibat Jimoh in Kaiama, the programme cannot come fast enough. “My daughter is brilliant, but her school has leaking roofs and no proper toilets,” she said. “If this project reaches our community, it will change everything.”
As Kwara begins this next phase of its education journey, the hope is that the ₦20bn investment will not just change buildings, but transform lives. With strong political will, stakeholder collaboration, and community ownership, the programme has the potential to set a new standard for public education in Nigeria.
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