Aletheia University secures full licence as student enrolment tops 500

By Ademola Ade

Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has secured a full operating licence, with its student enrolment now exceeding 500, marking a major milestone for the institution established in 2023.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi, disclosed this at a press conference at the university, where he outlined its achievements in academic expansion, infrastructure development, student welfare, community engagement and international partnerships.

Licensed on June 5, 2023, the university began academic activities in the 2023/2024 session with 33 students and 17 approved degree programmes. Enrolment subsequently rose to 208 in 2024/2025 and 276 in 2025/2026, while the number of approved programmes increased to 34.

Akinyemi said the growth reflected the university’s commitment to expanding access to higher education while strengthening academic standards and institutional capacity.

“Our journey since 2023 has been one of steady growth, deliberate investment and continuous improvement. From our initial 33 students and 17 approved degree programmes, we have expanded our enrolment, diversified our academic offerings and continued to develop the structures required for sustainable institutional growth,” he said.

The vice-chancellor described the transition from a provisional licence to a full licence as one of the institution’s most significant achievements.

He said the National Universities Commission (NUC) conducted an assessment visit in March to review the university’s provisional licence status, examining teaching and learning, research, financial management, administration, governance and institutional management.

“We regard this development not as a reason for complacency, but as a call to greater responsibility. A full licence is an important institutional milestone, but our continuing task is to demonstrate excellence through quality teaching, meaningful research, innovation, sound administration and service to society,” Akinyemi said.

On academic quality and graduate employability, he highlighted the university’s Four Certifications Model, designed to equip students with competencies in academic knowledge, professional skills, information and communication technology (ICT), and entrepreneurship.

He said the initiative was intended to prepare graduates for employment, innovation, enterprise development and practical problem-solving.

The university is also preparing 13 programmes for accreditation as part of efforts to strengthen academic quality assurance and regulatory compliance. It introduced Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) and pre-degree programmes in the 2025/2026 academic session to widen access to higher education.

In a move to encourage agricultural education, the institution has introduced tuition rebates for eligible students studying Agriculture, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Akinyemi also highlighted the university’s Centre for Entrepreneurship, which provides students with opportunities to develop business skills and translate academic knowledge into practical solutions.

On infrastructure, he said the university had completed its library and cafeteria, while further facilities were being developed to accommodate rising enrolment.

He disclosed that the existing student hostel has a capacity of 1,000, with additional hostel facilities under construction. Staff quarters are also nearing completion, while laboratories and specialised facilities for Mass Communication and English Language are being upgraded to improve practical instruction and research.

“As student enrolment increases and academic programmes expand, our facilities must evolve to meet the demands of contemporary higher education,” he said.

The vice-chancellor also identified international partnerships as important to strengthening teaching, research and professional development. The university’s partners include the International Cultural Communication Center, Malaysia; Shenzhou University, China; NED University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan; and I Believe Global, United States.

Within Nigeria, the institution maintains relationships with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers,

New Horizons ICT Resource Centre and Jobberman Nigeria.

According to Akinyemi, the collaborations provide students with professional exposure, technological skills and practical learning opportunities, while the university’s engagement with IITA supports its interests in agricultural development, farmer empowerment and food security.

He further disclosed that Aletheia University was participating as a reporting institution in the process for the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, describing the move as a step towards increasing its international visibility.

On community relations, Akinyemi said the university was supporting local development through poultry farmer training, subsidised sales of fresh meat and fish, inter-school debates, gender sensitisation programmes and youth mentoring initiatives.

“Our commitment to town-and-gown relations is rooted in the belief that the university and its host community should grow together,” he said.

He added that the university conducts leadership training twice a year to strengthen management capacity, while academic staff are encouraged to engage in research, publications and professional activities.

Akinyemi said the institution’s next phase of development would focus on academic quality, infrastructure expansion, graduate employability, research, innovation and stronger local and international partnerships, particularly in food security, technology, ICT and artificial intelligence.

He said the university aspired to become one of Nigeria’s leading institutions and eventually compete globally, adding that the ambition would require sustained investment, effective governance and measurable improvements in academic performance.

“Our aspiration is to build a university whose reputation rests on the quality of its graduates, the relevance of its research, the integrity of its administration, the strength of its partnerships and its contribution to society,” he said.

The vice-chancellor reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to sustainable growth anchored on integrity, practical skills, innovation and service to humanity.