The management of University of Ilesa has announced that the institution has secured approval from the National Universities Commission to run 97 academic programmes, including Medicine and Surgery, marking another significant milestone in the university’s development.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu, during a press conference held at the university campus to review the progress made since the institution was upgraded from the former Osun State College of Education in April 2023.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the university has witnessed rapid growth in the last three years, with student enrollment rising from less than 1,000 to over 15,000 across undergraduate, JUPEB, pre-degree, and other academic programmes.
Speaking further, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the university has expanded its academic capacity significantly, with newly approved programmes in key areas such as Law, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Optometry, Chinese Studies, and Special Education. He added that while the MBBS programme has been approved by the NUC, the university is still awaiting final approval from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
He also stated that 40 academic programmes of the institution currently enjoy full accreditation status, a feat he described as commendable for a university that is barely three years old.
In the area of infrastructure, Asaolu disclosed that the institution has recovered 15 acres of land and 24 housing units previously developed on university property, with plans to use the land for the proposed Faculty of Technology. He added that the university has already established the faculty with courses in Civil, Computer, Electrical, and Mechatronics Engineering.
The Vice-Chancellor said the institution inherited poor infrastructure, inadequate facilities, and a declining student population at inception, but has now repositioned itself into a growing academic community with expanding opportunities.
To make education more accessible, the university management has also made tuition free for students in the Faculties of Education and Agriculture, while children of staff members enjoy a 50 percent tuition reduction.
Beyond academics, the institution has established an Integrated Teaching and Research Farm to provide students with practical agricultural training. Students are also being trained in vocational areas such as solar energy installation, digital content creation, agribusiness, and Adire production.
Professor Asaolu commended Ademola Adeleke for supporting the institution through infrastructure upgrades and staff welfare interventions. According to him, over 300 temporary staff members have been granted permanent appointments, while outstanding allowances owed to staff and retirees have been cleared.
He further highlighted achievements recorded by students in sports, debates, and professional examinations, noting that some accounting students have already passed professional examinations under the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.