The University of Ilesa formerly Osun State College of Education will by 2026 produce its homegrown professors.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Taiwo Asaolu made this known on Wednesday during an interactive session with staff of the institution on the management’ scorecards in the last one year.
Prof. Asaolu who was appointed by Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke in April, 2023, noted that the council of the institution led by Hon. Gbenga Olugbogi recently approved the promotion of Nine Senior Lecturers to the position of Associate Professor.
According to him, the papers of additional Seven Senior Lecturers are being processed and their promotion would be announced soon, adding that 20 staff have been promoted to Senior Lecturer cadre.
“Those who were due for promotion when the institution was at College of Education status were advised to write to the council and the council ruled in their favor. Non-teaching staff have also been considered for promotion,” he said.
The VC who also disclosed that the institution commenced academic programme with 32 courses, added that 35 new programmes are awaiting resource verification by the national universities commission (NUC).
He appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke for the prompt release of funds to conduct resource verification.
He equally disclosed that the Governor emphasized the need to retain the staff who were with the then College of Education.
“I must thank Governor Adeleke for appointing competent hands to the council and approving the payment of outstanding allowances.
“A hostel is now in place to accommodate over 400 students with sporting facilities while the health center is now equipped.
“Soldiers from the artillery battalion have been engaged to coordinate the security situation in the school. Patrol vehicles and accoutrements have been bought, while the Amotekun corps have been engaged to man our borders.
“Our Teaching and Research farm now has in stock 7,500 fishes; three ponds and one miniature pond; 18 turkeys; Snails, 10 Grass cutters; 30 Rabbits; 10 sheep; Eight cows; 1200 heaps of yam; Cassava; Vegetable Beds and Beehives that are available to train the students,” he said.
Prof. Asaolu in his closing remarks enjoined the staff to reciprocate the gesture from the State Government led by Senator Adeleke and the management by working towards achieving the objectives of the institution.
Some of the staff who responded during the interactive session, thanked the Governor for sustaining the University and appointing a resourceful academic and administrator as the Vice Chancellor.
The highlight of the meeting was the VC’s announcement that one of the academic staff, Mrs Oluyemisi Oyedemi of the Department of Computer Science won a N30m grant from TetFund.