Nelson Mandela, the esteemed leader, famously stated that education stands as the most potent tool for reshaping the world. This profound statement not only underscores the significance of leaving behind a meaningful legacy but also highlights the crucial role of education on par with other spheres of human endeavor.
In every endeavor, diverse metrics gauge the efficacy of the educational sector. These metrics encompass aspects such as Quality of Teaching and Learning, Academic Environment, Accommodation, Tuition, Research and Grants, Courses Offered, and Community Engagement, among others, all of which collectively influence the caliber of education dispensed to students.
While it remains the responsibility of parents to ensure their children access education, it falls upon the school management or institutional authorities to devise strategies aimed at positioning their institutions as paragons of excellence, as delineated by the aforementioned parameters.
In Osun State, located in South West Nigeria, a plethora of both public and private higher educational institutions dot the landscape of the state. Boasting over 20 tertiary institutions, admission seekers are presented with a myriad of options to pursue their academic aspirations.
The inaugural segment of this series delves into an exploration of the landscape of the three public universities in the state, namely; Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Osun State University (UNIOSUN), and the University of Ilesa (UNILESA).
However, limited information may be available regarding UNILESA due to its recent establishment and commencement of operations as sanctioned by the National Universities Commission.
Historical Background Of Public Universities In Osun
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
Situated in Ile Ife, Osun State, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), affectionately referred to as “Oba Awon Unifasiti” by its student body and alumni, stands as one of the three universities established in Nigeria between 1961 and 1962 by the Federal Government.
On June 8, 1961, the legislation formalizing the establishment of the Provisional Council of the University was inaugurated, with Chief Rotimi Williams assuming the chairmanship.
UNIOSUN
Established in December 2006 under the stewardship of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Osun State University (UNIOSUN) emerged as the 80th university in Nigeria following accreditation by the National Universities Commission. Academic activities at the university commenced on September 21, 2007.
UNIOSUN operates as a traditional, multi-campus university with sites in Okuku, Ikire, Ejigbo, Ifetedo, Ipetu-Ijesa, and the principal campus in Osogbo, the state capital.
UNIILESA
The University of Ilesa, a state-owned institution nestled in Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria, formerly operated as the Osun State College of Education. However, in September 2023, it garnered approval and accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer 32 courses for the 2023–2024 academic session.
Courses Offered
In the contemporary era of a globalized world, Nigerian leadership must invest in the education sector to equip the country’s undergraduates with the requisite competencies to compete on a global scale.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Data Science courses are increasingly gaining prominence in universities worldwide, enabling students to contribute meaningfully to pivotal global transformations.
There exists a compelling necessity for Nigerian universities to integrate additional ICT and Data Science-related courses into their academic curricula.
OAU – Courses
Boasting a repertoire of over 90 courses, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) provides aspiring candidates with a diverse array of options to pursue their academic passions and excel in their chosen fields.
The institution offers programs leading to the conferment of First Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s Degrees, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
Among the ICT/Data Science-related courses available at OAU are; Computer Science, Statistics, Demography, and Social Statistics; Computer Engineering, Computer Science with Economics; and Computer Science with Mathematics.
UNIOSUN – Courses
Similarly offering over 90 courses up to the PhD level, UNIOSUN features a spectrum of programs in the realm of ICT and Data Science, encompassing disciplines such as Information Science, Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, Demography, and Social Statistics.
UNIILESA – Courses
As previously mentioned, the university kickstarted academic operations in the 2023–24 academic session with 32 approved courses. Notably, among the 32 endorsed courses, Computer Science and Cyber Security are part of the academic offerings.
Ranking: From the delineated information, Osun State University emerges as the frontrunner among the public universities in the state with a more extensive array of Data Science courses; closely followed by Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, while the University of Ilesa, a nascent institution, trails in third place.
Tuition Fees
OAU – Tuition Fees
Recently, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University revised the school fees structure applicable to its student body.
The tuition fees stand as follows; returning students in the Humanities faculty are required to remit N76,000, whereas fresh students in the same faculty are obligated to pay N131,000.
For students enrolled in the Sciences and Technology disciplines, the fee amounts to N86,000, with new students in these faculties expected to pay N141,000.
Furthermore, students studying Pharmacy and those in the College of Health Sciences are subject to fees amounting to N109,000, while fresh students in these categories are mandated to pay N164,000.
UNIOSUN – Tuition Fees
As per information available on the UNIOSUN website (www.uniosun.edu.ng), students pursuing Non-Science disciplines including Arts and Social Science Education, Adult Education, Peace and Conflict Studies, Psychology, Library and Information Science, International Relations & Diplomacy, Criminology & Security Studies, Social Works, Banking & Finance, Geography, Entrepreneurial Studies, and Tourism are charged a tuition fee of N130,000.
On the other hand, students enrolled in Accounting, Business Administration, Industrial Relations & Personnel Management, Cooperative and Rural Development, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science, and all Engineering courses including Software Engineering, as well as Sciences encompassing Anatomy, Physiology, Education Technology, Science Education, Nutrition & Dietetics, Pharmacology, Cyber Security, Environmental Education, Biotechnology, Information Technology, Information Science, and Agriculture, are required to pay N155,000 as tuition fees.
Notably, students pursuing Nursing, Law, Public Health, Medical Laboratory Science, and Radiography & Radiation Science are subjected to varying fee structures, with Medicine students bearing the highest tuition cost of N550,000.
UNIILESA – Tuition Fees
Information sourced from the school’s website indicates that students in departments such as Linguistics, English Language, History, International Relations, Music, English Education, Political Science Education, Economics Education, Social Studies Education, Guidance & Counseling Education, Adult & Continuous Education, Education Management, Music Education, Business Education, and Tourism and Hospitality Management are required to pay N130,000 as tuition fees.
Moreover, students enrolled in Computer Science, Integrated Science, Agricultural Science, Accounting, Business Administration, and Economics disciplines are obligated to remit N155,000.
For students pursuing Public Health, the stipulated tuition fee stands at N200,000, while Nursing students and those in Medical Laboratory Science are expected to pay N650,000 and N550,000, respectively, as their tuition fees.
Ranking: Within this category, students at Osun State University bear the highest tuition fees among the Public Universities in Osun State; UNILESA and OAU follow suit, securing the second and third positions in terms of the fees levied on students for an academic session.
Accommodation Facilities
Concerning accommodation, OAU provides on-campus hostels for its student populace, alongside the option for off-campus lodging.
Reportedly, the hostel fees at OAU were previously pegged at N25,000 for returning students and N30,000 for fresh students.
To ensure the welfare and security of the students residing in the campus hostels, essential amenities such as water access and security measures are provided. However, there have been complaints about erratic power supply in the hostels, necessitating management intervention. For students opting for off-campus accommodation, the fees charged by landlords vary based on the location and quality of the residence.
UNIOSUN – Accommodation Facilities
UNIOSUN also offers student hostels and permits external accommodation arrangements. Notably, the school hostels are mandatory for 100-level students, while students in 200-level and above possess the autonomy to choose their residence. The hostels at UNIOSUN are well-equipped with electricity and water amenities.
According to a student testimonial, the school management installed solar energy systems to ensure a stable electricity supply for students in the hostels. The accommodation fees are structured at #120,000 for four students sharing a room and #135,000 for two students sharing a room. For students opting for off-campus housing, the cost varies depending on the locality of their residence.
UNIILESA – Accommodation Facilities
On January 2, 2024, the university management inaugurated the student hostel building. However, details regarding the accommodation fees for students accessing the hostel were not available at the time of compiling this report. Moreover, the transition of the institution from a College of Education to a University is anticipated to impact the cost of securing accommodation in the vicinity, particularly with the commencement of the first batch of full-scale degree students for the inaugural academic session.
Ranking: Within this domain, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) offers a more extensive array of accommodation facilities compared to other public universities in the state; Osun State University (UNIOSUN) secures the second position with hostel facilities catering to students in 100 and 400 levels; and the University of Ilesa (UNILESA) ranks third with a relatively limited provision of hostel facilities in comparison to the former two.
Research Endeavors and Grants
OAU – Research Endeavors and Grants
Over the years, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has garnered several grants to bolster its academic and research initiatives.
In 2020, the University secured a grant from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP).
The following year, in 2021, Tetfund awarded a grant of N1 billion to Obafemi Awolowo University for research-driven developmental projects.
Similarly, in 2022, the OAU Research Team clinched the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects (FSPI) Grant.
In the ongoing year 2023, OAU was distinguished as one of the eight universities globally to receive substantial backing and a grant earmarked for establishing a master’s degree program in Artificial Intelligence.
UNIOSUN – Research Endeavors and Grants
In June 2023, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Professor Clement Adebooye, announced that the university had secured $12 million in grants within a six-month period through the efforts of select scholars affiliated with the institution.
During July 2023, a lecturer at UNIOSUN clinched 3,600 euros in International travel grants.
Additionally, UNIOSUN garnered $40,000 in grants for the Carnegie Fellowship Programme and a substantial 7.8 million Euros Erasmus Lump-Sum Non-EU-Africa grant in June 2023.
In 2022, the institution secured the UNESCO-IFCD grant, emerging as the first Nigerian university to attain the prestigious UNESCO International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD). The project’s total worth amounts to $100,000 spanning a 17-month duration.
Furthermore, the school received a $1.4 million research grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2022.
Relationship with Host Communities
OAU, UNIOSUN, and UNIILESA maintain harmonious relationships with their respective host communities.
Students enrolled at these universities seamlessly coexist with the indigenous population and residents of the host communities.
The host communities benefit from the presence of the universities, with some locals engaged in various capacities by the university management.
Moreover, the universities’ presence in the host communities contributes positively to their economic development, particularly Osun State University, which strategically situates its campuses (faculties and colleges) across the state’s three senatorial districts and six strategic zones.
Conclusion
The aforementioned insights encapsulate pertinent information about the tertiary institutions, which are deemed valuable for individuals seeking insights into these educational entities.
Notwithstanding, Osun Defender’s findings underscore the imperative for universities to incorporate more ICT and Data Science courses to address contemporary global challenges effectively.
The series continues…..
Kazeem Badmus, a Mass Communication graduate with extensive experience, is a seasoned professional in journalism and media writing. With a commitment to accuracy and factual reporting, Kazeem excels in delivering unbiased and development-oriented narratives.