Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development
Over the last couple of years, Kwara State has taken bold steps to transform education, making schools safer, smarter, and more supportive of students. The Commissioner-to-Classroom (C2C) programme, recently launched by the state government, aims to bring top education officials directly into classrooms to improve teaching and learning across public and private schools.
At the first-quarter Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Ministry of Finance in Ilorin, Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, unveiled the initiative alongside several other reforms. Key among these are a dedicated helpline for students and parents, and an online registration portal for Primary Six pupils preparing for the Common Entrance Examination.
Dr Olohungbebe spoke highly of the state’s KwaraLearn initiative, which has shifted education from analogue to digital. “KwaraLearn has not only improved learning activities in all public schools but has enabled our students to compete globally,” he said. According to the Commissioner, the programme has doubled pupil enrollment and trained 1,800 teachers in digital literacy across all sixteen Local Government Areas.
On quality assurance, the state has adopted the National Policy on Quality Assurance (NEQAP), with officers monitoring teacher activities to ensure compliance with government standards. “We are committed to providing quality education at all levels,” Dr Olohungbebe affirmed.
The Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration is also investing heavily in infrastructure. Currently, 35 schools are under construction or renovation, equipped with new laboratory facilities. Dr Olohungbebe assured that only competent contractors are engaged and that full supervision is provided until completion.
Special attention is being given to girls through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE). The programme has renovated nearly 900 junior and senior secondary schools and installed WASH facilities. It also trains teachers in digital literacy and engages financial service providers to support Conditional Cash Transfer beneficiaries. Additionally, AGILE supports out-of-school girls and young women while monitoring Gender-Based Violence survivors.
Beyond schools, the Agency for Mass Education is tackling adult illiteracy through vocational skills training and a “literacy by radio” programme on Midland FM 99.1.
Experts and stakeholders agree that the recent initiative by Kwara State to reposition its education sector will set a new standard in Nigerian education. With aggressive investment in digital learning, infrastructure development, and relevant social support programmes, the state is ensuring that no child or youth is left without access to quality education.
With initiatives like C2C and AGILE, Kwara is reimagining the future of education in Nigeria. The state is showing that bold reforms, strong partnerships, and community-focused policies can create a safer, more innovative, and more inclusive education for all.
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