UNILESA Records Rapid Growth, Expands to 15,000 Students in Three Years

The University of Ilesa (UNILESA) has undergone significant academic and infrastructural transformation within just three years of its establishment, with its student population rising from about 1,000 to over 15,000.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu, disclosed this during a media briefing marking his third anniversary in office. He explained that the university, which was upgraded from the former Osun State College of Education in April 2023, started with dilapidated facilities, low staff morale, and failing infrastructure but has since experienced a remarkable turnaround.

According to Asaolu, the institution now offers 97 academic programmes fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). These programmes cut across disciplines such as Law, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Optometry, Chinese Studies, and Special Education.

He further revealed that UNILESA has secured NUC approval to begin its Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme, pending final clearance from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

A key part of the university’s expansion includes the upgrade of the State General Hospital in Ilesa into a teaching hospital, which is expected to enhance clinical training and improve healthcare delivery in the region.

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the institution’s 18-hole golf course as a unique feature, noting that it has already hosted national events such as the Professional Golfers’ Association’s 15th Qualifying School Seminar, boosting the university’s profile in sports and leisure.

Asaolu attributed the rapid progress to the support of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, particularly in infrastructure development and staff welfare. He noted that road reconstruction projects have improved the campus environment, while government interventions have addressed lingering welfare issues and restored industrial harmony.

Despite the achievements, he identified challenges such as inadequate student accommodation, unstable power supply, and limited lecture halls and laboratories, calling for urgent attention to sustain the university’s growth.