In commemorating the 25th-anniversary celebration of academic excellence, rich history and exciting future, Igbinedion University Okada unveiled its anniversary logo during the world press conference held on Tuesday, April 30, at the Senate Chamber of the University in Okada, Edo State.
The premier and leading private university in Nigeria renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, advancing knowledge and creating opportunities, made history on May 10, 1999, when it received its license as the first private university in Nigeria with Registration No. 001.
Come May 10 this year, it will be exactly 25 years since that epochal event. Suffice it to state that the University achieved this significant milestone through the extraordinary vision and mission of the Founder and Proprietor, Sir Chief Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, CON, CFR, Esama of Benin Kingdom.
Speaking at the world press conference, the Vice-Chancellor, Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, Ph.D., FAS expressed his delight towards the upcoming celebration of the 25th anniversary of the University.
“Since inception, the University has achieved remarkable successes in teaching, research, capacity building, innovative studies and perhaps most significantly, the production of exceptional graduates in diverse fields of human endeavor who are contributing their quota to national and global development.
“The growth trajectory witnessed have been driven by a culture of innovation, creativity, adaptability, digital literacy, technological fluency, relentless commitment of the Board of Regents, Governing Council, Senate, staff and students,” Prof. Ezemonye said.
While noting the institution’s key value and significant milestones over the years, the Vice-Chancellor explained the very robust internationalization profile and partnerships the university enjoys across Africa, Europe, the Americas and indeed all around the globe.
He added that all courses/programmes in the university are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant professional bodies.
“IUO has been able to provide value and significance in the higher education landscape. The key areas include the following:
Firsts
- We are the first private university in Nigeria to produce Medical Doctors, Pharmacy and Law graduates.
- The first to produce a First Class law graduate who repeated the same feat at the Nigerian Law School and went on to become a Professor of Law, Deputy Vice Chancellor of a university and the youngest Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
- We are the first private university in Nigeria whose First Class Law graduate also obtained First Class at the Nigerian Law School (2005).
- We pioneered entrepreneurship as an academic programme in Nigeria before it was adopted by NUC as a mandatory component of the curriculum of Nigerian universities.
Admission Profile
- From a modest figure of 115 enrolments at inception, we now have over 7,000 male and female students on campus.
- We have a highly sustainable, flexible fee payment structure that allows parents to pay in installments.
- We have maintained enrolment from every state, every religion and every group in Nigeria and across Africa.
- Increased acceptability rating and visibility in the JAMB Portal, leading to sustainability in admissions.
Quality Delivery – Academic Excellence
- Recorded steady growth in academic programmes of study. From 5 Colleges at inception in 1999, the University has expanded to 7 Colleges and 3 Schools.
- The academic departments/programmes have witnessed an exponential increase from 7 at inception to 85, made up of 34 undergraduate and 51 postgraduate programmes.
- We have produced over 16,000 graduates across disciplines spread across the globe, with records of stellar performances in their respective fields of endeavour.
- All courses/programmes are fully accredited not only by the National Universities Commission (NUC) but also by relevant professional bodies.
- Our admission quota for Medicine, Nursing and Medical Laboratory Science was recently increased by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) by 100 per cent each.
Research and Scholarship
- Drug manufacturing by the College of Pharmacy
- Methylated Spirit production by the College of Pharmacy
- Design and development of EV prototype by the College of Engineering
- Design and development of 500VA Hybrid Power Station by IUO Creative Hub.
Internationalization and Partnerships
- We have a very robust internationalization profile and partnerships across Africa, Europe, the Americas and indeed all around the globe.
- The platforms provide opportunities for staff and students exchanges, joint research and training, joint grant applications, etc, thus enriching the university’s pedagogical profile and visibility.
- We also have professional affiliation and accreditation for certifications with some professional bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), ICAN Mutual Cooperation Agreement with Tertiary Institutions (MCATI), Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), and the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), amongst others.
Resource Mobilization and Entrepreneurship
- Professional certification and academic disciplines
- IT certifications by the IUO IT academies.
- Career Enhance and Resilience Training (CERT), an online course designed for final year students based on the ‘The Graduate Code’.
- Igbinedium Digital Hub: All 100, 200 and 300-level students are required to undertake digital upskill programmes such as Auto Cad, Virtual Reality, Data Analytics, 3D Design & Animation, Python Software Development, Digital Marketing, etc.
- Best Student Chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
IT and Campus-wide Digitalization
- We have a smart campus, covered by 155mbps (1STM) bandwidth, with a backup of 80mbps
- IUO has 6 IT academies, namely Cisco, Huawei, Mikrotic, Microsoft, Oracle, and Amazon Web Cloud Services that offer professional certification training for students across all colleges and departments.
- Students are given the opportunity to acquire at least one professional certification training that is relevant to their areas of professional training that are globally recognized.
- Each year, the students are given the opportunity to participate in the annual Huawei National ICT competition that provides them with the platform for exposure to industry-based experiences.
Centres of Excellence
- We have very robust Centres of Excellence that contribute to the University’s research and development efforts:
- Centre for Climate Change and SDGs.
- Buratai Centre for Contemporary Security Affairs.
- Centre for Energy Studies.
- Centre for Presidential Studies.
- Centre for Leadership and Governance.
- Centre for Distance Learning.
IUO Advantage
- Cosmopolitan in nature, imbibing the principles of diversity, inclusion and equity in staff and students profile.
- State of the art facilities
- Incredible digital environment
- Robust human capital development
- A core of dedicated professional staff.
- We have an unprecedented 24/7 electricity and water supply.
- Uninterrupted academic calendar of September to June
- Master Classes and Continuous Professional Development Programme
- Quadruple Helix Postgraduate Supervision Model,” Prof. Ezemonye explained.
In addition, the Vice-Chancellor revealed at the world press conference some distinguished dignitaries expected to honour IUO’s 25th anniversary.
“The event will be graced by His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Special Guest of Honour, while His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR will chair the session, and General (Dr,) Abdulsalami A. Abubakar, GCFR, CSG as Guest of Honour.
“Distinguished Speakers include the Hon. Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman; H.E. Professor Mohamed Bellhocine, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, H.E. His Excellency, Shri. G. Balasubramanian, High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, amongst others, including the IUO Alumni: Mr. Jonathan Obinna Ikeolumba and Abosede Alimi George-Ogan,” Prof. Ezemonye stated.
The celebration of IUO’s 25th anniversary which commenced on Friday, April 26, with a Free Medical Outreach to communities in Okada and environs at Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, is expected to be a week-long event till Sunday, May 12, 2024.
The week-long event programme highlights include the Inter-University Football Tournament, Special Juma’at Prayers, Law Students Moot Court Competition, Chancellor’s Photo Gallery Exhibition, Alumni Reunion and Engagement, Commissioning of Legacy Projects at the respective sites: IUO Palm Oil Processing Mill and IUO Hotel at Okada, and ultimately Founder’s Day ceremony on May 10, with 25th Anniversary Colloquium, titled: “Re-Imagining Tertiary Education for Africa’s Present and Future Realities”, Launching of 25th Anniversary Compedium and Chancellors 25th Anniversary Luncheon, while ending with a thanksgiving service on Sunday, May 12, at the University’s Main Auditorium, Main Campus, Okada.
The high points of the event were historical clips on the presentation of the Certificate of Registration to IUO on May 10, 1999, poetry on IUO at 25, dance drama of IUO at 25 and the unveiling of the Anniversary Logo.
