The University of Ilesa, Osun State, is moving to establish a permanent security arrangement with the Agro Ranger Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to curb the persistent intrusion of cattle herders onto its campus.

Vice Chancellor Prof Olufemi Asaolu disclosed this on Wednesday during a media parley held on the university campus in Ilesa to mark the third anniversary of his appointment. He described the open grazing situation as uncalled for and said that plans were underway to station agro ranger operatives on campus.

"We are in the process of establishing a collaboration with the agro rangers group, which will enable their operatives to be resident on the campus. Those who will be hired must be able to speak the language the herders understand. With that, the menace will be reduced to a tolerable extent," Asaolu stated.

He also flagged the threat of illegal mining activities on and around the campus, noting that, unlike herders who operate during the day, miners work under the cover of darkness and with arms.

"They will dig trenches so much that it is not safe; one can easily fall into the excavated sites. It is that bad. We arrested a couple of them in the past, and we shall keep arresting them," he added.

Turning to academic milestones, Asaolu revealed that the university currently runs 97 NUC approved courses, with 40 programmes already enjoying full accreditation status, a feat he described as remarkable for an institution only three years old. He announced that NUC approval had been secured to commence the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme, with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) concurrent approval still being awaited.

A Faculty of Technology has also been established, commencing with civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and mechatronics engineering.

The vice chancellor disclosed that student enrolment had grown to 15,000 across degree, JUPEB, pre degree and other programmes. He also commended Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for financial support, adding that the institution had benefited from TETFund and NELFUND interventions to address student accommodation challenges.

UNILESA's 18 hole golf course was equally highlighted as a facility that has hosted numerous tournaments and raised the institution's national profile.