University on the Niger, Umunya
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Motto | Lux Fiat via Sapientia |
|---|---|
Motto in English | Show the Light through Wisdom and Knowledge |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 2023 |
| Founder | Rev. Owen Nwokolo |
Religious affiliation | Anglican Church of Nigeria |
| Chancellor | Rev. Owen Nwokolo |
| Vice-Chancellor | Very Rev. Prof. Chinedu Nebo |
| Location | Umunya in Oyi local government area |
| Campus | Suburban |
University on the Niger is a private university owned by the Anglican Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. It got its approval for operation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to start the 2023/2024 academic session with 20 degree programs in various faculties.[1] It is popularly known as UniNiger and has its permanent site at Umunya in Oyi local government are of Anambra state.[2]
The National Universities Commission approved of the operation of University on the Niger in 2023, and listed on its website, as one of the private universities that are licensed to operate in Nigeria, under the headline: "Approved affiliation of some Nigerian universities with Colleges of Education, Seminaries/Theological and other educational institutions."[3][4]
Academic activities
University on the Niger has performed some academic activities.
Matriculation
In 2024, University on the Niger had its maiden matriculation ceremony at the CJ Patterson Auditorium, located at All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State. About three hundred students were admitted and participated in the matriculation ceremony. The Royal Father, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, who attended the ceremony, stated, “today marks a very historic day in the re-engineering of Onitsha and the repositioning of Onitsha which I started 22 years ago when I came unto the throne of Onitsha. And if you see and feel the transformation that is going on, not just in the physical, but also in our minds, in our desires to go to greater heights; working for ourselves, and so on." The maiden matriculation also attracted other statesmen and stakeholders in Anambra State.[5]
The second matriculation of the UniNiger had a total of 762 students.[6] At the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Very Rev. Prof Chinedu Nebo stated that "the university has made some languages like Chinese, French, Igbo compulsory for every student following China’s dominance in trade and industrialization in Africa." It was also announced at the matriculation ceremony that UniNiger has been approved to run some professional courses. This was issued by the institution that is responsible for professionals and regulatory Councils and Boards in the Nigeria.[7]
Orientation courses
In 2024, the university organized a two-day orientation course for its new students. The program took place at the Archbishop C. J. Patterson Auditorium, Onitsha. During the orientation program, the Vice Chancellor. Prof. Chinedu Nebo in his opening speech "encouraged the students not to relent in their various disciplines in the school."[8]
Donations to the university
In 2024, the former Governor of Anambra State and the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Election, Mr Peter Obi, donated N50m to the university at its Umunya campus. He also donated N10m at the Iyi-Enu Mission Teaching Hospital, Ogidi, for its health education and poverty reduction. Thus, making it N60m to the university.[9]
Again, some highly place Nigerians have donated money for the completion of some projects at the permanent site in Umunya. According to Daily Champion, "Senators, five state governors in conjunction with other stakeholders across South-East determined to pool N1billion towards the completion of some on-going projects at the permanent site of the university." It was also stated that, "The Primate, accompanied by the Bishops had earlier on arrival, commissioned some building blocks completed in the university by churches, groups and internal road network constructed in the university by Senator Tony Nwoye."[10]