Overview and History of Hillside University of Science And Technology, Okemisi, Ekiti State

 
In the evolving landscape of higher education in Nigeria, there is a growing need for institutions that are not just repositories of knowledge but hubs of innovation, technology and social impact. Situated in the serene town of Okemesi in Ekiti State, Hillside University of Science and Technology (HUST) has emerged as one such institution. With its commitment to “science and technology”, HUST seeks to bridge the gap between the theoretical approaches of traditional university education and the practical demands of a fast-changing, tech-driven world.What sets HUST apart is its location and vision. Okemesi-Ekiti is a town that historically has been renowned for its intellectual heritage and culture of scholarship. By choosing this locale, HUST is signalling a desire to decentralize higher education, bringing world-class facilities outside the major urban centres and offering opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, the focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture/Agribusiness, Medicine/Management) and security-oriented disciplines reflects a strategic understanding of Nigeria’s present and future workforce demands.

As a new institution, HUST also offers a chance to join as a pioneer student—one who can shape the culture, ethos and future of the university rather than simply inheriting it. Importantly, the university emphasises not only academic excellence but also innovation, research, and real-world problem solving. For prospective students, this means the chance to be part of a fresh ecosystem where modern labs, contemporary curricula and global partnerships are being built from the ground up.
In this blog post we will take a detailed look at HUST: exploring its official website, motto, founder, history, leadership, accreditation & recognition, academic structure and facilities, campus life and facilities, and what we currently know about notable alumni (or the early alumni trajectory). Our goal is to provide a humanised, professional and informative summary that helps you understand what HUST offers, what to watch out for, and what makes it distinctive.

##Official Website
The official website for Hillside University of Science and Technology is https://hust.edu.ng/On the website you will find key information about admissions, programmes, about the university’s mission and vision, news & events, and a portal for applying. The site clearly states that HUST aims to “redefine education by delivering affordable, quality programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Management.” 

For anyone interested in HUST—be it a prospective student, parent or educator—the website serves as the first port of call to assess programme offerings, admissions criteria, campus information and institutional ethos.

##Motto
The motto of HUST is “Learning and Living.” This motto encapsulates two key ideas: Learning emphasises the acquisition of knowledge, skills, critical thinking and academic excellence. Living suggests that education goes beyond classroom lectures—it is about living out those skills, applying them, engaging with society, becoming responsible citizens and professionals.

In other words, HUST is signalling that students should not just pass exams but live out the impact and transformation that education can bring—both personally and for their communities.

##Founder
The founder (proprietor) of HUST is Laoye Olaoye Jaiyeola (often styled Mr. “Laoye Jaiyeola”). 

Mr. Jaiyeola is an economist and corporate leader (he has held positions including CEO of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)). 

He explains his vision for the university as rooted in his commitment to advancing education and addressing the brain-drain and capacity gaps in Nigeria—especially in science, technology and health sectors.

By founding HUST in his home region, he is aiming to create local opportunities, reduce migration for education, and build an institution that serves societal needs. 

##History
The history of HUST is recent yet ambitious. The university was formally inaugurated by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in November 2023, marking its official recognition as a private university in Ekiti State. 

At that inauguration ceremony, stakeholders including government representatives, traditional leaders, and education development partners participated—emphasising the local and national significance of the institution. 

HUST’s location in Okemesi-Ekiti fits a broader purpose: to bring high quality tertiary education into a region known for intellectual tradition but historically underserved in terms of major university infrastructure. As noted by the Governor of Ekiti State at the inauguration, the university is a “landmark achievement” for the state. 

Early in its rollout, HUST announced its programme offerings and began admissions for the 2023/2024 academic session. It emphasised that it has already secured resource-verification for numerous programmes (30+ including medicine & allied health, engineering, computing, agriculture, business) and is building an entrepreneurial, sustainability-driven curriculum. 

The university also adopted a model curriculum called the “MiST Model” for its health sciences programmes—this is a forward-looking integrated clinical-capacity development model aiming to produce globally-ready health professionals. 

In its short existence, HUST has held at least two matriculation ceremonies (the second in March 2025 welcoming 104 new students) which shows the institution’s quick growth. 

While still young, HUST’s history thus far indicates a focused launch: strategic location, strong founder backing, modern curriculum design and readiness to serve key sectors (health, tech, agriculture) that Nigeria needs. Prospective students should note, though, that like all new institutions, full accreditation of all departments, full alumni outcomes and mature culture may still be in progress.

##Chancellor
The Chancellor of HUST is also Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola (the founder) who often serves as chancellor or titular head in private universities in Nigeria. At HUST, many sources refer to him as Chancellor of the institution. 

Brief biography:
Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola is a seasoned economist, corporate leader and education advocate.

He holds credentials including FCIB (Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers), FCA (Fellow Chartered Accountant) and FIoD (Fellow, Institute of Directors) as per his LinkedIn profile. 

His vision for HUST is clear: to build a university that equips students with the skills, knowledge and character to solve real-world problems, especially in science, technology and health sectors. 

Under his leadership the university has already secured major collaborations (e.g., with K?ing’s College London) for research and global exposure. 

The Chancellor’s role at HUST is both governance and ambassadorial: providing strategic direction, ensuring quality, and positioning the university in the national and global education landscape.

##Accreditation and Recognition
Accreditation and recognition are vital for any university—and HUST is officially recognized by the NUC. The university appears on the NUC list of approved private universities. 

According to its website and press releases, programmes for the 2023/24 admission session have been approved (resource-verified) across multiple colleges. 

That said, as a new university, not all programmes may yet have full accreditation status, or may still be in the “resource-verified” stage awaiting full accreditation. One statement at the March 2025 matriculation indicated that “all these programmes have been resource-verified and will later be accredited when they mature.” 

For prospective students, this means:

The institution is legitimate and properly licensed.

It is advisable to check for your specific intended programme’s accreditation status.

Monitor developments for when full accreditation is achieved, especially in high-stakes fields like Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering.


##Academic Structure and Facilities

HUST’s academic structure and facilities reflect a modern, science & technology-oriented institution with ambition. Here are key facets:

Academic Structure

Health & Medical Sciences 

Engineering & Computing Sciences

Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences

Business, Law & Educational Sciences 


##Campus Life and Facilities
Campus life at HUST—while still building given the university’s newness—offers several positive features and considerations:

Location: The university is based in Okemesi-Ekiti (Ekiti West LGA, Ekiti State). This provides a quieter, less congested environment than urban campuses, potentially offering more focus and lower distractions. At the same time it might mean that some urban amenities are less available—students should consider commuting, transport, connectivity. 

Facilities for Residential Students: While specific hostel details may still be under development, the investment in campus infrastructure, labs and facilities suggests the institution is building for full student experience (residential, research labs, student social life). Community & Growth: As a young institution, students have the chance to be part of shaping campus culture—club formation, student governance, traditions. The second matriculation ceremony (March 2025) shows signs of growing student numbers. 

Academic-Industry/Community Linkages: HUST emphasises collaboration with health institutions, research networks, and industry. This can translate into internships, practical training, and improved employability. For example, the Governor’s statement noted hospital-university linkages. 

Alerts & Safety: The university has issued warnings about fraudulent admission offers and emphasises the official portal. This is a sign of institutional maturity and commitment to student welfare. 

Focus on Values: In one address, the VC spoke about naming classrooms after virtues (Integrity, Endurance, Patience, Compassion, Courage) to embed values into student culture.