The Kwara State Government has shut down several unapproved Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) coaching centres operating across the state.
Dr. Mary Arinde, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, expressed concerns about the increasing number of illegal IJMB centres during a meeting with representatives from approved centres in Ilorin on Thursday.
According to a statement from the ministry’s press secretary, Falade Gbenga, the government is committed to maintaining high educational standards and ensuring a conducive learning environment for students.
Dr. Arinde stated that only nine institutions in Kwara State are officially approved to run 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 warned that all unapproved centres must shut down immediately to prevent the spread of substandard education.
The Director of Continued Education in the Ministry, Babatunde Afolayan, confirmed that enforcement would begin right away to uphold educational standards in the state.
Prof. Stephen Afolabi, head of the IJMB programme at KWASU, praised the government’s decision, stating that illegal centres often lack proper learning environments.
He and other representatives from approved institutions pledged their full support in ensuring compliance with educational regulations.
