Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared that his administration has fulfilled its promise to establish and develop the University of Ilesa, describing the institution as one of the most significant achievements of his government.
The governor made the declaration on Tuesday while commissioning six major infrastructural projects at the university amidst a jubilant reception by students, staff, traditional rulers and political stakeholders.
Speaking before an enthusiastic crowd, Adeleke said the university had moved beyond political promises and had become a thriving institution making meaningful contributions to higher education in Nigeria.
“Within such a short period, I am proud that the University has taken its rightful place within the Nigerian university system. Our baby is growing to become an adult,” the governor declared to loud applause.
Addressing traditional rulers and sons and daughters of Ijesaland, Adeleke said the dream of establishing a university in the area had now become an irreversible reality.
“To our royal fathers and the entire Ijesa sons and daughters, I have fulfilled my pledge to make this university a reality. Your dream, our dream, is now a reality that nobody can play politics with,” he said.
The governor recalled that before his administration came on board, the institution existed largely as a political announcement without the necessary legal and administrative framework required for a functional university.
“From audio pronouncement by the previous administration, our government enacted a state law establishing the university and providing a framework for its governance. We secured accreditation for several courses and ensured that the institution was built on a solid foundation,” he stated.
Adeleke explained that beyond creating the legal framework, his administration deliberately assembled experienced academics and administrators to drive the university’s growth.
“With strong political will, we appointed world-class administrators to manage the university and supervised a seamless transition from the former Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, to a university without any negative impact on workers,” he said.
The governor highlighted several welfare initiatives undertaken by his administration, including the conversion of temporary and contract workers to permanent and pensionable staff.
“We implemented the conversion of all temporary and contract staff of the defunct College to permanent and pensionable staff. We paid all outstanding allowances owed by the management of the former college and approved the implementation of new university salary structures, including payment of arrears,” he disclosed.
He added that workers also benefited from the payment of outstanding half salaries and the release of withheld cooperative and other deductions.
According to him, staff welfare remains a central pillar of his administration’s governance philosophy.
“As a government committed to workers’ welfare, we implemented regular promotion of staff with financial backing. Apart from approving the new salary scale for academic staff, similar approval will soon be extended to non-teaching staff once the financial position of the state improves,” Adeleke assured.
Despite economic challenges confronting the state, the governor said his administration continued to prioritise investment in educational infrastructure.
“Despite the financial challenges of the last two years, we have continued upgrading physical infrastructure within the university. Today’s gathering is a clear manifestation of our commitment to improving the university’s facilities and academic infrastructure,” he said.
The projects commissioned by the governor include the remodeled Faculty of Law Annex Building, remodeled Faculty of Public Health Building, reconstructed internal road network, newly constructed hostel facilities, female medical hostel and the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences complex.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Ashaolu, described the governor’s intervention as transformative and unprecedented.
He said the institution had witnessed remarkable growth within a short period.
“In just three years, UNILESA has grown from a vision to a thriving academic community of 12 faculties, one College of Health Sciences, 110 academic programmes and over 15,000 students,” Ashaolu stated.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the rapid expansion of the university had positively impacted the economy of Ijesaland and surrounding communities.
“This remarkable growth has positively impacted the socio-economic fortunes of our host communities and Osun State at large. This would not have been possible without your visionary leadership, consistent funding and personal commitment to making UNILESA a centre of excellence,” he told the governor.
According to him, the university’s growth trajectory has positioned it as one of the fastest-growing higher institutions in the country.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Chairman of the Imole Campaign Council, Prof. Wale Oladipo, Director-General of the Campaign Organisation, Senator Lere Oyewumi, state executive council members, political leaders, traditional rulers and stakeholders from across Osun State.
As the event concluded, many participants described the transformation of the University of Ilesa as one of the flagship accomplishments of the Adeleke administration and a major boost to educational development in Osun State.
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