Governor Ademola Adeleke has demonstrated unwavering support for the University of Ilesa (UNILESA) by allocating over N4 billion in funding over the past 20 months.
This significant investment has been used for resource verification, renovation, and upgrading of the university’s infrastructure, according to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Taiwo Asaolu.
Prof. Asaolu made this revelation during the commissioning of a N180 million fully equipped Nursing Laboratory building donated by the Ijesa community under the Ijesa Endowment Fund. Highlighting the governor’s contributions, he stated, “Mr. Governor has indeed paid adequate and appropriate attention to the growth and development of UNILESA. His Excellency has consistently assured us that he will continue to support UNILESA.”
The allocated funds have allowed the university to secure 67 programs approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and present 23 academic programs for accreditation, along with nine under the University of Ibadan’s Bachelor of Education degree programs.
Prof. Asaolu also praised the new Nursing Laboratory, describing it as a critical asset in ensuring nursing students receive quality practical training.
“This laboratory will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to ensure quality education by exposing our nursing students to top-notch practical training, which is the hallmark of any effective teaching and learning process,” he said.
The facility, built and equipped with contributions from Ijesa community members, addresses a need identified during a Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria verification exercise last year.
Speaking on the community’s involvement, Chief Akinwande Akinola, chairman of the Ijesa Endowment Fund, emphasized the collective effort behind the project. “The laboratory, built from scratch within six months, reflects the unwavering determination of the Ijesa people. It is fully furnished and ready for immediate use as students resume on January 6,” Akinola noted.
The Pro-Chancellor of the University, Gbenga Onigbogi, commended the community for their N180 million investment, which included N150 million for construction and N30 million for equipping the laboratory.
“This donation fulfills the assurance of the Ijesa community to support the growth of UNILESA and will significantly enhance teaching, learning, and academic excellence,” he said.
Prof. Asaolu also announced the approval of new programs by the university’s Senate, including Medicine and Surgery, Early Childhood Care Education, Special Education, French Language, Chinese Studies, Yoruba Language, and Agricultural Sciences. These programs are slated for presentation to the NUC for resource verification and are expected to commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.
The VC expressed gratitude to the governor and the Ijesa community for their contributions, reiterating the university’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards and fostering partnerships for continued growth.
