Nigerian Government Grants Maranatha University Lagos Full Operational Licence

By Sunday Okobi*

The Federal Government of Nigeria has granted Maranatha University in Lagos complete permission to operate as a private university in Nigeria.

The licence, dated September 2, 2024, was signed by Prof. Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education, and Mr. Chris. J. Maiyaki, acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

According to the management, Maranatha University’s provisional licence was replaced with a full (statutory) licence after the university met the requirements outlined in Educational Acts Cap E3 of 2024, which include the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) and other operational guidelines. NUC held a licence review exercise at Maranatha University between April 14 and 16, 2024.

Other information contained in a statement issued by the university management stated that: “The institution is a Christian faith-based university, with a vision to be a world-class university built on the tripod of Faith, Excellence, and Integrity, contributing to the growth and development of tertiary education in Nigeria and around the world.

“Its mission is to provide innovative academic programmes that provide individuals with access to high-quality education and knowledge to benefit humanity. Maranatha University requires religious education and training for all students. Refreshing joint Staff/Students Fellowship takes place between 12 and 1 p.m.

It stated that Maranatha is a Greek word that means ‘The Lord is coming,’ and that it serves as a symbolic evangelism and reminder of Christ’s impending second coming.

“The university has four faculties and twenty programmes, including the Faculty of Arts, Management, and Social Sciences; the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences; the Faculty of Environmental Sciences; and the Faculty of Engineering.

“It is an urban university with adequate facilities, with two campuses in Lagos. The Okota Campus is located at Okota-Isolo, while the Lekki Campus is located at Km 47 on the Lekki-Epe Motorway. Academic activities at the Lekki Campus have yet to begin. Male and female students can stay in secure residential accommodations on both campuses. It has modern learning infrastructure, such as labs for practicals and adequate classrooms, some with interactive boards, as well as an adequately equipped central library, according to the statement.

The management added that in terms of academic culture, “we are already laying a solid foundation through workshops, conferences, and the Distinguished Lecture Series.” The university hosted several guest speakers, including Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, Director of NITDA Hub, Unilag, who delivered a lecture on “Education Design and Delivery in the World of Robots and AI” in May 2003, and Prof. Toyin Falola of the University of Texas at Austin, USA, who delivered the first University Distinguished Lecture on “Technologies and African Cultures” on October 24, 2023.

“In terms of linkages and partnerships, the university is a member of the Lagos Universities Conurbation. There are collaborations with Nigerian institutes, as well as agreements with foreign institutions as far away as Poland.

“The university’s use of technology includes campus-wide internet access, the use of cutting-edge software to streamline administrative operations, improved teaching and learning, and effective communication channels, as well as adequate staff training.”