The University of Ilesa, Osun State, made a bold announcement on Monday, converting 230 long-suffering temporary staff from the defunct College of Education into full-time employees. The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Taiwo Asaolu, described the move as a lifeline for workers who had endured over 20 years of precarious contract employment with irregular salaries.
In a striking progress report covering the university’s achievements over the past 18 months, Asaolu lauded Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for his "magnanimity and kindness" in approving the permanent appointments, highlighting the governor’s commitment to workers' welfare.
However, Asaolu sounded the alarm over security issues plaguing the campus, revealing that herders and illegal miners have been encroaching on university property without restriction. He called for urgent intervention to secure the institution’s boundaries.
The Vice-Chancellor also announced a series of promotions, with 13 senior lecturers elevated to the rank of associate professors, and numerous other academic and non-teaching staff receiving upgrades. In a dramatic twist, long-standing unpaid allowances owed to 13 staff members from the former College of Education were finally cleared, following a special appeal to Governor Adeleke, who approved funds to offset the debt.
“These workers had their hopes restored thanks to Mr. Governor’s concern for their welfare,” Asaolu said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining industrial harmony within the institution.
Despite the challenges, Asaolu announced significant academic progress, with the university securing full accreditation for 67 courses, including nursing and law degrees. In a major boost for students, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund disbursed N98.8 million to 247 students, reflecting the institution’s growing influence.
In a bid to integrate education with community impact, the university unveiled the Model Integrated Teaching and Research Farm, which boasts fish ponds, a rabbit section, cattle and sheep ranches, and crop plantations. Asaolu described the farm as a “lifelong learning experience” that offers students hands-on agricultural training.
While applauding Governor Adeleke and other benefactors, Asaolu identified funding as the university’s most pressing challenge. “We need additional support to sustain the momentum of development,” he urged, calling on philanthropists and stakeholders to rally behind the institution’s vision.
This transformative chapter in the University of Ilesa’s history highlights both progress and challenges as the institution cements its place as a beacon of education and innovation in Osun State.
