Decades of accommodation challenges may soon be behind the University of Ilesa, Osun State, after the Federal Government officially handed over 24 housing units to the institution under the National Housing Programme (NHP), in a ceremony held at the university campus.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu, described the handover as historic, noting that the university operated as a College of Education for over 47 years before its transition into a conventional university. "This marks another significant step in our growth journey," he stated, adding that the institution had faced serious accommodation challenges, particularly in meeting accreditation requirements for programmes such as Law, Medicine, Nursing and Medical Laboratory Science.
Professor Asaolu disclosed that despite the presence of the structures within the campus, the university could not access them and was compelled to convert classrooms into temporary hostel facilities. He also revealed that the institution had been shortlisted by TETFund for its High Impact Intervention Projects, adding that "with the acquisition of these housing units, we now have the critical infrastructure required to actualize our Faculty of Technology and expand our academic programmes."
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, represented by the Director of Public Buildings and Housing Development, Pemi Samuel Temitope, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at improving staff welfare and enhancing productivity in key national institutions. He stressed that "as centres of knowledge, innovation and human capital development, universities must be supported with the necessary infrastructure, including adequate housing for their workforce."
Dangiwa noted that the housing units were designed to provide a conducive living environment, adding that "this intervention will not only improve staff welfare but also enhance productivity and support the University's drive towards academic excellence." He urged the university to ensure proper maintenance and optimal utilisation of the facilities to guarantee long term sustainability.
The Minister reaffirmed that "the Federal Government will continue to implement policies and programmes that promote access to affordable housing and improve the living standards of Nigerians," commending the university management for its collaboration with the Ministry as "a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through effective synergy between government and public institutions."
