NUC Grants Maranatha Varsity Lagos Approval to Commence Law, Nursing, Other Programmes

Sunday Okobi

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted Maranatha University Lagos (MUL) the approval to commence seven new programmes in Nursing, Public Health, Health Information Management, Physiotherapy, Law, English, History and International Relations.

A statement issued by the university’s management and made available to THISDAY yesterday stated that English and History will be domiciled in the Okota campus of the university while the other five programmes will constitute the pioneer programmes of the Lekki campus. According to the statement, the university now has a total of 27 NUC-approved courses.

Maranatha University Lagos is a fast-growing faith-based metropolitan university with its motto: ‘Faith, Excellence, and Integrity’.

The management stated that the mission of the university is to provide innovative academic programmes that will equip the students with knowledge and skills for service to the nation and mankind.

Meanwhile, the university management restated that  the  Federal Government of Nigeria had already granted the university the full licence to operate as a private university in Nigeria.

The licence dated September 2, 2024, was 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 licence given to Maranatha University at inception was replaced with a full (statutory) licence after the university met the Educational Acts Cap E3 of 2024 requirements that stipulate the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) and other operational guidelines. A Licence Review Exercise was conducted at Maranatha University by NUC from April 14 to 16, 2024.

 “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 mankind. Religious education and training is compulsory in Maranatha University. Refreshing joint Staff/ Students Fellowship takes place by 12.00-1.00pm),” it stated.

It noted that Maranatha is a Greek word that means ‘The Lord is coming’, adding that it is a symbolic evangelism and reminder of the imminent second coming of Christ.

The statement added: “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 where academic activities have fully commenced.

“On both campuses, there is secure residential accommodation for male and female students. It has modern infrastructure for learning, including Labs for practical and adequate classrooms, some with interactive boards, and a central Library adequately equipped.”

 The management added that on the academic culture, “we are already laying sound foundation through workshops and conferences and Distinguished Lecture Series. The university hosted several guest speakers, including the Director of NITDA Hub, University of Lagos, 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 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.”