Olawunmi Ajibike
The University of Ilesa (UNILESA) has achieved remarkable academic and infrastructural transformation within three years of its establishment, increasing its student population from about 1,000 to over 15,000 while broadening its academic offerings and stabilising operations.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu, disclosed this during a media briefing held yesterday to mark his third year in office, highlighting the institution’s steady rise since inception.
According to him, the university, which was upgraded from the former Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, began operations in April 2023 under difficult conditions, inheriting dilapidated facilities, low staff morale and failing infrastructure. He noted, however, that the institution has since undergone a significant turnaround.
Asaolu revealed that UNILESA now runs 97 academic programmes fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), covering diverse fields such as Law, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Optometry, Chinese Studies and Special Education.
He added that the university has also secured approval from the NUC to commence Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programmes, pending final clearance from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
A key component of the university’s development, he said, is the ongoing upgrade of the State General Hospital, Ilesa, into a teaching hospital, which is expected to enhance clinical training and improve healthcare delivery across Ijesaland.
The vice-chancellor further noted that the institution is carving a niche in sports and leisure, with its 18-hole golf course already hosting national events, including the Professional Golfers’ Association’s 15th Qualifying School Seminar.
He attributed the university’s rapid progress to the support of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, particularly in infrastructure renewal and workforce stabilisation.
Asaolu explained that the reconstruction of the university’s road network has significantly improved the campus environment, while government intervention also addressed long-standing staff welfare issues inherited from the defunct college, restoring industrial harmony.
Despite the progress, he identified challenges such as inadequate student accommodation, unstable power supply, and a shortage of lecture halls and laboratories, calling for urgent intervention to sustain the university’s growth trajectory.