In a major leap for higher education in Nigeria, Miva Open University has officially launched its Lagos Study Center, aiming to reach 1 million students in the coming years. This milestone marks a bold step toward addressing Nigeria’s university admission gap and making quality tertiary education more accessible.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tayo Arulogun, highlighted the importance of combining digital and physical learning experiences during the commissioning ceremony.
“We believe that when people are learning at a distance, they should be able to come to a physical location, interact with themselves, and learn from others,” he said.
The Lagos center is equipped with state-of-the-art computer-based testing (CBT) facilities and will soon include a virtual lab for computer science students, reinforcing the university’s digital-first yet hands-on learning model.
Chancellor Sim Shagaya addressed the dire need for expanded access to tertiary education:
“Out of 2.2 million Nigerians who sat for the UTME exams, only 600,000 university seats are available. We’re leveraging technology and AI to serve the 1.5 million students who qualify for university but lack access.”
Shagaya also emphasized responsible AI use in education:
“We’ve defined the data pool for AI, ensuring it only teaches approved and accurate information… with guardrails in place to prevent the spread of unethical or false content.”
Chief People Officer, Oladipo Olugbemi, revealed that enrollment numbers are on a steady rise:
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500 students in 2023
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5,000 by end of 2024
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Projecting 10,000+ by mid-2025
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Targeting 100,000 students by 2027
Miva offers affordable tuition (₦300,000–₦350,000/year for undergrads; under ₦1 million for MBAs), and accepts direct entry students. All courses are approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The university recently launched Masters in Public Health and Masters of Information Technology, expanding its academic portfolio. Looking ahead, Miva plans to establish community centers across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones to provide students with localized support and resources.
With its tech-driven, inclusive approach, Miva Open University is set to redefine what higher education can look like in Nigeria.
