Govt shuts illegal IJMB centres, see full list

The Kwara State Government has taken decisive action against unapproved Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) coaching centres operating illegally across the state.

Dr. Mary Arinde, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, raised concerns over the growing number of unauthorized IJMB centres during a meeting with representatives from accredited institutions in Ilorin on Thursday.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s press secretary, Falade Gbenga, the government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high educational standards and ensuring students receive quality learning experiences.

Dr. Arinde emphasized that only nine institutions in Kwara State are officially approved to offer IJMB programmes. These include:

Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete

Kwara State College of Education, Oro

Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin

Federal Polytechnic, Offa

De-wise College of Basic and Remedial Studies

Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin

Thomas Adewumi University, Oko

Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin

Ojaja University, Ilorin

She issued a stern warning to all unapproved centres, ordering them to shut down immediately to prevent the proliferation of substandard education in the state.

Backing the government’s stance, the Director of Continued Education in the Ministry, Babatunde Afolayan, confirmed that enforcement measures would begin immediately to ensure compliance.

Prof. Stephen Afolabi, head of the IJMB programme at KWASU, applauded the government’s action, noting that many illegal centres operate without the necessary facilities, thereby compromising students’ academic success.

Stakeholders from the approved institutions pledged their full support in ensuring that only accredited centres continue to offer IJMB programmes in Kwara State.