The Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex is one of first generation of Teaching Hospitals established by the Federal Government to providequalitative health care delivery to its people.

In 1967, the defunct Western State Government of Nigeria resolved to establish a medical school in its state university at Ile-Ife (which was then five (5) years old to provide manpower to tackle the health problem of the state. After a period of careful planning Faculty of Health Science was created in the then University of Ife (now OAU) on 8th May, 1972.

On the 1st of July, 1975, the defunct Western State Government established the State Health Council – a development in Nigeria. Health Management system – and created Ife/Ijesa Zone Health Board.