By Sunday Ani
The Federal Government has granted Maranatha University, Lagos, the license to operate as a private university in Nigeria.The license dated September 2, 2024, was jointly signed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and the acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris. J. Maiyaki.
The management said the provisional license given to the university at inception was replaced with a full (statutory) license after the university met the requirements of the Educational Acts Cap E3 of 2024, which stipulates the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) and other operational guidelines. A license review exercise was conducted at the university by the NUC from April 14 to 16, 2024.A statement issued by the university management stated: “The institution is a Christian faith-based university, with a vision to be a world-class university built on tripod of faith, excellence and integrity, contributing to the growth and development of tertiary education in Nigeria and globally.“Its mission is to provide innovative academic programmes that will grant individuals access to qualitative education and knowledge for service to mankind. Religious education and training is compulsory in Maranatha University. Refreshing joint staff/ students fellowship takes place by 12.00-1.00pm).”It noted that Maranatha is a Greek word that means ‘The Lord is coming’, adding that it is a symbolic evangelism and a reminder of the imminent second coming of Christ.“The university has four faculties and 20 programmes, including Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences; Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences; Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Faculty of Engineering.“It’s an urban university with adequate accommodation. It has two campuses in Lagos.
The Okota Campus at Okota-Isolo, and the Lekki Campus at Km 47 Lekki-Epe Expressway. Academic activities are yet to start at Lekki Campus. Lekki campus is for the proposed Faculty of Law and Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences). On both campuses, there is secure residential accommodation for male and female students. It has modern infrastructure for learning, including laboratories for practicals and adequate classrooms, some with interactive boards, and a central library that is adequately equipped,” the statement added.On the academic culture, the statement said: “We are already laying a sound foundation through workshops and conferences and distinguished lecture series.
The university hosted several guest speakers, including the Director of NITDA Hub, Unilag, Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, in May 2003, who delivered a lecture on ‘Education Design and Delivery in the World of Robots and AI,’ and Prof. Toyin Falola of the University of Texas at Austin, USA, who delivered the first University Distinguished Lecture on October 24, 2023, on ‘Technologies and African Cultures.’
“On linkages and partnerships, the university is a member of the conurbation of universities in Lagos. There are linkages with institutes in Nigeria and working on MoUs with foreign institutions as far afield as Poland.“The university application of technology includes campus-wide internet facility, application of cutting-edge software to streamline administrative operations, enhanced teaching and learning, and efficient communication channels, even as staff training is given adequate attention.”
