The establishment of the Center for Archives and Documentation (CAD) embodies the desire to incorporate tradition and culture in the development initiatives of KWASU in line with our slogan of being “The University for Community Development”. The Center was established in April, 2018 by the former and Pioneer Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah with the main aim of collecting, documenting, preserving, studying, presenting and archiving historical resources, materials and with various events and activities, as well as Exhibitions of these collections. Through this, an avenue for accessibility, learning and research is created in order to let people know more about the University, the host community and its environs, the Kwara State and Nigeria at large and later motivated by the next level Agenda of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Mustapha Akanbi, SAN, the purview of the Center was expanded to cover Ilorin Manuscripts, Cultural Studies and Nigerian Languages, Oral Traditions in Africa. This was necessitated by the realisation of the need to digitize endangered (Arabic) manuscripts and preserve African tradition and culture continues to face increasing technological, socio-cultural, economical and globalisation threats. Part of the initiatives backing up the establishment of the Center include the setting up of a Museum and Gallery for the display of notable Art Works, for exhibiting photographs and other Historical Events, Images, Materials of various landmarks and personalities, an Archive to keep records of various historical activities on analog-wise and digitally and a Coffee/Drinks Shop where Staff and students can relax over coffee and other beverages as well as drinks and snacks. A Cinema Concept has also been initiated for Tourists, Visitors, Staff and Students relaxation and other services.

As Pioneer and Current Director, I am pleased to welcome you to the official Web page of KWASU Center for Archives and Documentation (CAD) and I thank you for your interest in our Center. The establishment of the Center is born out of the need to preserve historical and indigenous integrity and ensure the accessibility and learning. This will ensure proper maintenance, management and safety. We also stand to prevent loss, destruction and unauthorized use of indigenous resources and materials. To this end, the existence of the Center is to collect, preserve and disseminate historical manuscripts, oral traditions, Nigerian languages and cultures, foster availability of relevant documentation of events, exhibitions of artefacts and collections, interactions with notable personalities within and outside the community, as well as display of art works and photographs of important landmarks. Our commitment to preservation of community history is unflinching and we are proud to contribute to the community development mission of the University and its environs in particular, and Africa in general. I hope you enjoy reading about our Center and encourage you to follow our events and activities through our website.

Professor Binta Ajibola Sulyman

Some of the key news and event of the Center are outlined below:

• Interview with best graduatingstudents of each College at KWASU 6th Convocation Ceremony.

• One-on-one interactive session with the Vice Chancellor and other Principal Officers of Kwara State University.

• Interactive sessions with Departments/Centers and Unit Heads and members within the University.

• Organising and showcasing exhibitions of art works in the gallery.

The following are the Achievements, Milestones and Plans;

• Together with former Vice-Chancellor and some students, we made remarkable visits to the Royal Highnesses of Zaria and Kano respectively. We also visited the Ahmadu Bello University and The Bayero University, Kano. This afforded the students and Staff involved to acquire knowledge on the Kano royalty and palace as well as learn the history of one of the top and foremost citadel of learning in Nigeria.
  We visited the popular Kofar Mata Traditional Tye and Dye Pit Center where students learnt about the cultural significance of city wall in the North and also gained practical skill on processes of Tye and Dye.
  Visit was also made to the prestigious National Arts Gallery, Abuja, National Tourism Center, The National University Commission, among others where relevant collections of documents and books were purchased for the Center to facilitate access, learning and research by the University Community and other visitors and tourists.
  The popular DAN BOY was visited and interviewed at the Emir of Ilorin Palace. This activity produced a Book which documented the information gathered from his wealth of knowledge on Ilorin and the Emir’s Palace in Ilorin.
  The Official Commissioning and Opening of the Center was done with an Exhibition of Arts and Crafts of various categories displayed and it turned out quite a successful one.
  Collection of a number of artifacts including traditional songs, performances and musical instruments. Some of these collections have already been transcribed and translated.
  Organisation of live performances involving traditional musicians and poets on campus.
  Successful organisation of workshop and an International conference in the areas of culture preservation, promotion and education.