Miva Open University has achieved a monumental milestone, welcoming its largest-ever cohort of students during a recent matriculation ceremony. The institution successfully onboarded more than 8,000 new scholars, marking its most significant admission cycle since it began operations in 2023.
A Landmark Event for Nigerian Education
The historic announcement was made by the University's Chancellor, Sim Shagaya, during the 2025 Matriculation ceremony held in Abuja on Saturday, November 15. He described the event as a pivotal moment that underscores the university's rapid growth and its commitment to maintaining high standards. Shagaya emphasized that few tertiary institutions in Africa can match this scale of enrolment while preserving educational quality.
With this new intake, the university's community now exceeds 18,000 students. Shagaya proudly stated his belief that there are not many larger institutions on the entire continent. He stressed that the university has been obsessive about maintaining quality while simultaneously expanding access to education.
Ambitious Expansion and Bridging the Education Gap
Outlining a bold vision for the future, the Chancellor revealed plans to establish 770 study centres across Nigeria, aiming for one in every local government area. These centres are designed to be flexible, accessible learning hubs that will foster collaboration, study groups, and deeper community engagement.
Shagaya also addressed the critical supply-and-demand crisis in Nigeria's higher education sector. He pointed out a stark reality: while over 2 million students sat for the JAMB last year, only about 600,000 could be absorbed by the country's more than 170 universities. This leaves nearly a million qualified young Nigerians without a university placement each year.
He argued that traditional universities, though vital, cannot scale up fast enough to meet this enormous demand. This gap, he said, underscores the urgent need for flexible, affordable, and innovative institutions that equip students not just with knowledge, but with critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for the modern world.
Harnessing Technology for Learning
In his address, Shagaya highlighted the transformative role of technology, specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI). He described AI as an incredible opportunity rather than a threat. To this end, the university has developed and rolled out MIND, an AI-powered learning companion.
This innovative tool engages students in real-time conversations about case studies and provides instant feedback, actively helping them to develop critical thinking abilities. Shagaya encouraged the new students to fully embrace this technology, along with the university's masterclasses and study groups, and to actively connect with their professors.
Echoing the Chancellor's sentiments, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tayo Arulogun, celebrated the institution's remarkable journey. He noted that since its digital launch in September 2023, enrolment has grown exponentially. From its ambitious beginnings just two years ago, Miva Open University now offers 14 accredited undergraduate programmes and 4 postgraduate programmes, demonstrating both rapid expansion and a sustained commitment to quality.
Adding his voice to the proceedings, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola delivered the keynote address. He urged the newly admitted students to appreciate the lifelong commitment to learning they were undertaking. Fashola commended the Chancellor's clear vision and challenged the students to demonstrate a similar clarity of purpose in their academic pursuits.
He lauded Miva's introduction of professors of practice, who bring valuable industry experience into the classroom, effectively bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. Fashola's final advice to the students was to prioritize continuous learning, discipline, and strong moral values, asserting that knowledge alone will not be enough; your character will be the most important factor.
