Adeleke inaugurates major projects at UNILESA, reiterates commitment to higher education

By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday inaugurated a number of key infrastructure projects at the University of Ilesa (UNILESA), reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality higher education and strengthening tertiary institutions across the state.

The projects commissioned include remodelled Faculty of Law and Faculty of Public Health buildings, reconstructed internal roads, new student hostel facilities, a female medical hostel and a new Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences building.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the university campus in Ilesa, Adeleke described the institution as one of the landmark achievements of his administration, noting that the government had transformed what was once a proposal into a fully operational university with a firm legal and administrative foundation.

According to the governor, his administration enacted the law establishing the university, secured accreditation for several academic programmes, appointed competent administrators and successfully oversaw the transition of the former Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, into a full-fledged university without disrupting staff welfare.

He stated that over 300 contract workers inherited from the former college had been converted to permanent and pensionable staff, while outstanding allowances, salary arrears, half salaries and withheld cooperative deductions owed to workers had been settled.

The governor also said his administration approved and implemented new salary structures for academic staff and backed staff promotions with the necessary financial support.

Adeleke acknowledged the financial challenges confronting the state but stressed that his government remained committed to investing in education and critical infrastructure.

He said the projects reflected the administration’s determination to create a conducive learning environment capable of producing graduates who can compete globally.

“I am delighted to attend this landmark event. Within a short period, the university has secured its place in Nigeria’s university system. I congratulate the Governing Council, the Vice-Chancellor and the management for demonstrating outstanding managerial and academic capacity,” he said.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu, described the governor’s visit as historic, noting that it was the first time the Visitor to the university would personally commission projects on campus.

He disclosed that within three years of operation, the university had expanded to 12 faculties, one College of Health Sciences, 110 academic programmes and a student population of more than 15,000.

According to him, the institution’s rapid growth has contributed significantly to the socio-economic development of Ijesaland and Osun State.

Prof. Asaolu attributed the university’s progress to sustained support from the state government, including the release of take-off grants, funding for National Universities Commission resource verification exercises, annual capital allocations, provision of a 500KVA transformer and improved welfare packages for staff.

He also cited the implementation of a new salary structure for academic staff and the conversion of the State General Hospital, Ilesa, into the University Teaching Hospital as major milestones.

The vice-chancellor expressed optimism that the institution would graduate its first set of students next year, describing the forthcoming convocation as another historic achievement for the university.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon. Gbenga Onigbogi, said the newly commissioned projects represented strategic investments in teaching, research, innovation and human capital development.

He assured the governor that the council would ensure transparency, accountability and proper maintenance of the facilities.

Onigbogi also acknowledged the contributions of the Ijesa community to the growth of the university, highlighting ongoing construction of a 100-bed student hostel by the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, the university gate by the Ijesa Elders Forum, a Nursing Sciences Laboratory, a Law Moot Court, solar-powered street lights, an Entrepreneurship Centre, donated law books and several endowed academic prizes.

He further disclosed that the Ijesa Golf and Country Club had constructed an 18-hole golf course valued at about ₦2 billion within the university campus.

The event was attended by members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, traditional rulers, community leaders, university officials, staff, students and other dignitaries, who described the projects as significant milestones in the continued development of the state-owned institution.