By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

The Osun State Government has approved the payment of outstanding staff allowances and the conversion of casual workers at the University of Ilesa (UNILESA), in efforts aimed at strengthening industrial harmony within the institution.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Taiwo Asaolu, disclosed this during the institution’s third anniversary celebration in Ilesa on Tuesday.

He said the government approved the settlement of outstanding allowances and related entitlements owed to staff, amounting to over ₦3 billion, as well as the conversion of about 300 casual workers to permanent appointments.

According to him, the intervention helped address earlier labour-related concerns within the institution, particularly those inherited from the former Osun State College of Education, Ilesa.

“As a result of the government’s intervention, temporary staff were absorbed into permanent positions, and outstanding allowances were fully settled. Retired staff and next-of-kin of deceased workers also benefited from the payments,” he said.

Asaolu noted that the university, established in April 2023 following the upgrade of the former college of education, has recorded steady academic growth.

He said the institution currently runs 97 academic programmes approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), including courses in Law, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Optometry, Chinese Studies, and Special Education.

He added that 40 of the programmes have already received full accreditation, describing the progress as significant for a relatively new university.

The vice-chancellor also disclosed that approval has been granted for the commencement of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme, pending final clearance from the relevant medical regulatory authority.