Education
Historic Matriculation: EUN Unveils ₦50bn Research Endowment
Joel Ajayi
The Chancellor of the European University of Nigeria (EUN), Nicholas Ukachukwu, has announced the establishment of a ₦50 billion research endowment fund aimed at driving innovation and cutting-edge research across specialised disciplines in the institution.
Ukachukwu disclosed this during an interview on the sidelines of the university’s maiden matriculation ceremony, explaining that the fund would support research in critical sectors such as medicine, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and other technical fields.
According to him, the initiative is designed to ensure that research carried out at the university produces practical solutions with real societal impact rather than remaining purely theoretical.
“We set up this university to be a centre for research, and the ₦50 billion endowment fund will focus on special categories of research and disciplines,” he said.
The chancellor explained that the university intends to support research from the discovery stage to practical application, particularly in areas such as drug development and technological innovation.
He noted that breakthroughs in these areas require specialised expertise, modern equipment and sustained investment, adding that the institution is committed to creating an enabling environment for researchers and students.
Ukachukwu emphasised that the research culture at EUN would be driven by results and societal relevance.
“I cannot call people, including myself, to put together ₦50 billion and allow research outcomes to gather dust on shelves. Whatever we invest in must produce results and impact lives,” he said.
He added that the university aims to nurture students who think beyond conventional classroom learning and develop innovative solutions to societal challenges.
Ukachukwu further revealed that the institution is building a centre of excellence equipped with advanced technology and highly skilled professionals, noting that government institutions may eventually collaborate with the university to benefit from its facilities and research outputs.
According to him, the university expects to begin seeing significant outcomes from its research investments within the next one to five years.Earlier in his welcome address at the matriculation ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of EUN, Emmanuel Ibezim, urged the pioneer students to pursue academic excellence, discipline and innovation throughout their stay at the institution.
Ibezim described the event as historic, noting that it marked the formal admission of the university’s first set of students.He said the university is committed to producing graduates who are intellectually sound, ethically grounded and globally competitive.
“Your admission into this university is a testament to your hard work and potential. However, admission is only the first step; what truly matters is what you do with the opportunity before you,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor assured the students that the institution would provide quality teaching, modern laboratories, digital learning resources and mentorship to support their academic development.
He urged them to embrace critical thinking, creativity and innovation while making effective use of the university’s learning facilities.Ibezim also stressed that the university maintains zero tolerance for examination malpractice, cultism, harassment, drug abuse and other forms of misconduct, advising students to strictly adhere to the institution’s rules and regulations.
He further encouraged the students to participate in approved extracurricular activities, sports and leadership programmes to build teamwork and leadership skills that would prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
The Vice-Chancellor also assured parents and guardians that the university management remains committed to improving teaching, research, infrastructure, innovation and student welfare.
A highlight of the ceremony was the administration of the matriculation oath and the signing of the matriculation register by the pioneer students, formally admitting them into the academic community of the university.
Education
Igbinedion University, EduTech Global Partner On Digital Education, Access
Mr. Femi Shonubi, Co-Founder/CTO – EduTech Global
Cyril Ogar
Igbinedion University, Okada, one of Nigeria’s leading private universities, has entered into a strategic partnership with EduTech Global to accelerate its digital learning ambitions, expand access to its academic programmes to students in the country.
Through the partnership, EduTech will provide digital learning infrastructure and technology support for the University’s Distance Learning Centre (DLC), thereby enabling learners to access quality university education beyond the conventional campus environment.
The partnership reflects Igbinedion University’s ambition to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape by combining its academic heritage with technology, innovation and new models of learning that contribute to national workforce development.
Speaking on the partnership, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the collaboration represented a significant step in the university’s ambition to produce graduates equipped for national and global impact.
He said: “At Igbinedion University, our mandate has always been to lead in producing graduates equipped for national and global impact. This partnership with EduTech Global represents a bold step into the future of higher education in Nigeria.
“By expanding our digital learning infrastructure, we are not just breaking down geographical barriers; we are actively contributing to national workforce development by ensuring that quality, industry-aligned education is accessible to every driven learner, regardless of location.”
In his remarks, Director, Igbinedion University Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Gideon Bawa, said the university was motivated by the opportunity to transform its existing processes, which hitherto were being handled manually, and build a more efficient and scalable distance learning model.
The Director clarified: “The growth recorded by institutions that have leveraged EduTech’s technology and expertise was a major factor in our decision to engage the company. We are confident that this partnership will position Igbinedion University to achieve significant growth in enrolment while strengthening the quality and efficiency of our Distance Learning Centre.”
“With this partnership, we expect to move most of our administrative and academic activities online through EduTech. This will improve efficiency, enhance the learner experience and allow our facilitators and students to engage more effectively through a connected digital learning environment”, Bawa added.
Commenting on the collaboration, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, EduTech Global, Femi Shonubi, pointed out that technology had been redefining the boundaries of what a university can offer, adding that EduTech’s role extends beyond putting courses online.
Shonubi expatiated: “Technology’s true value lies in its ability to drive tangible socio-economic impact through education. By dismantling physical boundaries, we are empowering institutions like Igbinedion University to democratise access to high-quality learning. This is about more than online courses; it is about developing a resilient, highly skilled workforce at scale to meet the demands of the modern economy.
“We are helping institutions build connected learning ecosystems that support the student journey from application and enrolment through learning, assessment and graduation. Igbinedion University’s ambition to lead in innovative education aligns strongly with what we are building at EduTech.”
General Manager, Edutech Global, Moyosore Asubiojo said the partnership arises as demand grows for flexible higher education among working professionals, entrepreneurs and learners seeking alternatives to traditional full-time campus education.
She asserted that by combining Igbinedion University’s academic competence with EduTech’s technology capabilities, the collaboration will create new pathways to quality education and workforce development while enabling the University to expand beyond its traditional geographical footprint.
Analysts believe that the partnership between the university and the tech company represents a shared commitment to making higher education more accessible, flexible and scalable, while positioning the university to compete and lead in the next generation of technology-enabled education in Nigeria and globally.
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