By Muyideen Aliyu, Ilorin
The Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) has conducted an environmental compliance inspection at the University of Ilorin, identifying sanitation lapses and urging immediate action to improve waste management on campus.
The exercise, carried out by the agency’s Tertiary Institution Unit, was part of a broader initiative to ensure healthy and safe environments across tertiary institutions in the state. The inspection focused on the university’s adherence to environmental regulations, particularly in the areas of hygiene and refuse disposal.
KWEPA officials noted several areas of non-compliance during the visit and called on the university’s management to rectify the infractions without delay in order to protect the health of students, staff, and surrounding communities.
Speaking during the inspection, the agency’s General Manager, Hon. Jide Aina, represented by Mrs Hassan Fatimoh, reaffirmed KWEPA’s resolve to promote clean, safe, and sustainable environments across all educational facilities in the state.
“Our mandate is to uphold environmental standards that contribute to the health and safety of all. Educational institutions must set the tone for compliance,” she said.
In response, the Director of Health Services at the University of Ilorin, Dr Abdulrashid Adekeye Odunola, acknowledged the observations and pledged full cooperation with the agency. He stated that the university was committed to strengthening its environmental protocols and taking necessary corrective steps.
In a related development, KWEPA’s School Health Unit also inspected private schools within Ilorin to assess their hygiene and environmental compliance levels. These visits are part of a statewide programme aimed at fostering learning environments that are not only academically sound but also physically healthy and well-maintained.
“KWEPA remains firmly dedicated to protecting public health and the environment through continuous engagement, rigorous monitoring, and strict application of environmental laws,” the agency said in a statement following the inspections.
The agency stressed that educational institutions, as custodians of young minds, must lead by example in creating and maintaining environments that support learning and well-being.