Miva Open Varsity Matriculates 8,000 Students, Targets 770 Study Centres

Miva Open University has matriculated over 8,000 new students, marking its largest single intake since its inception.

The announcement was made during the University’s 2025 Matriculation ceremony in Abuja over the weekend.

The Vice-Chancellor of Miva Open University, Professor Tayo Arulosun, highlighted the institution’s remarkable growth since its digital launch in September 2023.

He noted that from an ambitious beginning just two years ago, the University now offers 14 accredited undergraduate programmes, demonstrating both rapid expansion and sustained quality.

“Today, we multiply our largest single intake since inception, a milestone that reflects the great confidence in our mission. Since opening our digital doors, enrolment has grown exponentially, with thousands of learners joining our community.

“We began with a golden ambition two years ago and have since grown to 14 accredited undergraduate programmes,” he said.

The Chancellor, Sim Shagaya, described the matriculation as a moment of possibility, emphasising the scale of the University’s development, noting that few tertiary institutions on the continent match this size while maintaining high standards.

Shagaya outlined the University’s ambitious expansion plans, aiming to establish 770 study centres across Nigeria, targeting one in every local government area. These centres, he said, are designed to provide flexible, accessible learning spaces to support collaboration, study groups, and community engagement.

“Today we gather to welcome our newest cohort, over 8,000 students being welcomed into a community that now exceeds 18,000 students. I do not believe there are many tertiary institutions on the continent that are actually larger. Yet we have been obsessive about maintaining quality even as we provide access,” he said.

Addressing Nigeria’s broader educational challenges, Shagaya noted the gap between demand and capacity in the country’s higher education system.

According to him, while over 2 million students sat for the JAMB last year, only 600,000 could be absorbed by Nigeria’s over 170 universities, leaving nearly a million qualified students without placement.

He argued that traditional universities, though vital, cannot scale fast enough, and stressed the need for flexible, affordable, and innovative institutions that equip students not only with knowledge but with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

“There are tools on the horizon that will continue to challenge us on their implications for humanity and Nigeria tools like artificial intelligence, which I personally believe represent incredible opportunity.

“We are harnessing these tools and have rolled out MIND, our AI-powered learning companion. It engages you in real-time conversations about case studies, provides instant feedback, and helps you to think critically.”

Shagaya encouraged the new students to embrace curiosity, independence, and collaboration, urging them to use the study centres, engage with AI tools, attend masterclasses, form study groups, and actively connect with their professors.

“Last year, over 2 million Nigerians sat for the Jamba Conference. About 1.5 million of them qualified, yet our 170 universities could only absorb 600,000. This means that 900,000 qualified, brilliant young Nigerians were turned away, not because they were not good enough, but because there simply was not enough space.”

The keynote speaker, Babatunde Raji Fashola, former Governor of Lagos State urged the 8,000 new students to recognise the lifelong commitment they have just made.

Fashola applauded the Chancellor’s vision, encouraging students to adopt the same clarity of purpose. “Just imagine if the 8,000 who are matriculating today also followed their vision and connected another 8,000 persons each,” he said.

He praised Miva’s innovation, especially the inclusion of professors of practice, noting that they bring real-world experience that traditional schooling often fails to provide. He said these professionals connect the principles and theories they will learn with what is happening in real life.

He encouraged the students to embrace continuous learning, discipline, and strong values, “Knowledge alone will not be enough. Your character will be the most important factor.”

Fashola also urged the matriculants to stay focused despite distractions and uphold the values that define true graduates. “Do not let yourself down. I wish you outstanding success in your chosen course of study.”