UNILESA REPORTS RAPID GROWTH UNDER ASAOLU, STUDENT POPULATION HITS 15,000 AS INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSFORMATION CONTINUES
UNILESA REPORTS RAPID GROWTH UNDER ASAOLU, STUDENT POPULATION HITS 15,000 AS INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSFORMATION CONTINUES The University of Ilesa (UNILESA), Osun State, has recorded significant institutional growth under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Professor Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu, with student enrolment rising to over 15,000, alongside major improvements in academic programmes and infrastructure development since its establishment in 2023. The development was disclosed during recent updates marking the institution’s progress, where the university highlighted what it described as a rapid transformation from its inherited challenges to a growing centre of academic excellence. UNILESA’s student population has grown dramatically from less than 1,000 at inception to over 15,000 within three academic sessions, reflecting increasing public confidence in the institution. According to official updates from the university, the surge in enrolment cuts across degree, JUPEB, pre-degree, and other academic programmes, positioning UNILESA as one of the fastest-growing public universities in Nigeria. Officials attribute the growth to expanded academic offerings, improved facilities, and rising demand for admission into newly accredited programmes. The university has also significantly expanded its academic structure, securing approval for 97 programmes from the National Universities Commission (NUC) across multiple faculties, including Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Engineering-related disciplines.
University authorities noted that about 40 programmes have already received full accreditation, reinforcing UNILESA’s compliance with national academic standards despite being a relatively young institution. The institution has also begun developing new faculties, including Technology, with courses such as Civil, Computer, Electrical, and Mechatronics Engineering. When UNILESA was upgraded from the former Osun State College of Education, it reportedly inherited dilapidated structures, weak infrastructure, and limited facilities. However, the administration says it has since embarked on extensive rehabilitation, including
- Renovation of lecture halls and laboratories
- Expansion of student accommodation
- Development of modern administrative buildings
- Recovery of land for new academic facilities
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the university has “a good story to tell” after inheriting severely degraded infrastructure at take-off.
The institution also reported progress in staff welfare and internal stability, including settlement of outstanding allowances and conversion of casual workers into permanent staff following government intervention. These measures, according to management, have helped improve industrial harmony and support steady academic operations. Since assuming office, Professor Asaolu has overseen initiatives aimed at strengthening digital learning, expanding research capacity, and improving community engagement. He has also consistently emphasized partnerships, infrastructural investment, and academic quality as key pillars of UNILESA’s growth strategy. University officials say the institution is still in its early development phase but is rapidly positioning itself as a competitive centre of higher education in Nigeria. Challenges such as accommodation shortages and power supply constraints remain, but management insists ongoing projects will continue to address these gaps as enrolment rises. For now, UNILESA’s leadership says its focus remains on sustaining growth, expanding academic capacity, and consolidating its reputation as one of Nigeria’s fastest-developing state universities.
