Is KWASU a Federal University? Is It a Good School?

No, KWASU is not a federal university. It belongs to the Kwara State Government.

Whether it's a good school is a different question, and the honest answer is that it depends on your course, your budget and what you want from university. Here is what's worth knowing before you choose it: where it is, how old it is, how big it is and what to weigh up.

Is KWASU a federal or state university?

KWASU is a state university. It is owned by the Kwara State Government, not the Federal Government. It is a public university, which is different from a private one.

This matters for two reasons:

• Fees: state universities set their own fees, and they often differ for indigenes and non-indigenes of the state. Check the current fee schedule from the school.
• Admission: the school can set its own post-UTME screening and sometimes gives preference to indigenes. Check the requirements for your course each year.

Where is KWASU?

KWASU is in Malete, in Kwara State, Nigeria. The campus is outside Ilorin town, so it is a quieter, more rural setting. Many students rent houses or stay in hostels around the area.

When was KWASU founded?

KWASU was established in 2009 and started academic work the same year. It calls itself "the Green University for community development and entrepreneurship." It has grown a lot since then and now has several faculties, including Law, Engineering and Technology, and the Basic Medical Sciences.

Is KWASU approved by NUC?

Yes. KWASU is approved by the National Universities Commission, which is the body that regulates Nigerian universities. Before you choose any course, also check that the specific programme is accredited. You can ask the school or check the NUC website.

How big is KWASU?

Several public sources describe KWASU as a large university with tens of thousands of students and about 60 academic departments. Exact numbers change from year to year, so treat any single figure as an estimate.

Is KWASU a good university?

Here is an honest view.

Things in its favour

• Recognised and approved by the NUC
• Wide range of courses across many faculties
• Entrepreneurship focus, with a centre built to support student businesses
• Good web ranking for a state university. Public summaries of the 2024 Webometrics ranking place KWASU around 25th in Nigeria and among the better state-owned universities. Rankings change every year, and Webometrics mostly measures web presence and research output, so check the latest edition and do not treat it as a full quality score.
• Some firsts. It was the first Nigerian university approved to run a B.Eng in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (2017).
• Large library and campus facilities

Things to think about

• Location. Malete is outside town. Some students like the calm, others find transport and food options limited.
• Competition. Popular courses like Law, Medicine and Nursing are very competitive.
• Your course matters most. A university can be strong in one department and weaker in another. Ask students and graduates of your exact course.
• Accreditation of your programme. Confirm it before you choose.

How to decide if KWASU is right for you

Ask yourself:

1. Does KWASU offer my course, and is it accredited?
2. Can I afford the fees and living costs? Check the latest fee schedule.
3. Can I meet the cut-off and post-UTME requirements?
4. Am I fine with the Malete environment?
5. What do current students and graduates of my course say?

If you are still deciding on your JAMB subject combination and course, use our JAMB subject combination guide and read courses you can study with a low JAMB score.

Once you're a student

When you're in, these posts will come in handy: how the KWASU grading system works, the KWASU SIWES logbook, the KWASU SIWES report format and the KWASU project format. You can also track your results with the GPA tools and read the freshers survival guide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is KWASU a federal, state or private university?

It is a state university, owned by the Kwara State Government.

Where is KWASU?

In Malete, in Kwara State, outside Ilorin town.

Is KWASU the same as the University of Ilorin?

No. UNILORIN is a federal university in Ilorin. KWASU is a separate state university in Malete. If you're comparing the two, see our guide to UNILORIN cut-off marks.

Is a KWASU degree recognised?

Yes. KWASU is an NUC-approved university, so its degrees are recognised in Nigeria and you'll be mobilised for NYSC after graduation. Still, confirm that your specific course is accredited.

Is KWASU better than UNILORIN?

There's no single answer. Compare the two courses you actually want, along with fees, cut-off and location.

Does KWASU still give admission?

Yes. It admits students every session through JAMB and its own online screening. The 2026/2027 registration ran from 11 June to 10 July 2026 with a ₦2,000 fee. See how KWASU screening works.

How much is the KWASU form?

The 2026/2027 registration and screening fee was ₦2,000 and is not refundable. Confirm the amount for your session on kwasu.edu.ng.

Is KWASU expensive?

Fees depend on your course and whether you're an indigene. Check the latest official fee schedule instead of old figures on blogs.

Does KWASU have hostels?

The school has hostel accommodation, but space is limited and many students rent off campus. Confirm the current rules and fees with the school. Our hostel vs off-campus post compares the two.