New City University Matriculates 35 Pioneer Students, Targets Expansion to 6,000

Funmi Ogundare 

New City University, Ayetoro, Ogun State, on Tuesday, matriculated 35 pioneer students, signalling the commencement of full academic activities, following the approval of its operational licence by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, disclosed that the institution plans to expand its student population to about 6,000 and introduce new academic programmes, including  Engineering and Medicine, as part of its long-term vision to become a centre of excellence in university education.

He stated that the university, which recently secured a provisional licence to operate, commenced academic activities with five approved faculties and is preparing to establish a Faculty of Law, as well as programmes in Chemical Engineering to support Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

He recalled that the institution’s establishment dated back to 2019 when its promoters conceived the idea of creating a university that would provide enduring educational value and contribute meaningfully to national development.

“The promoters initially considered setting up an institute of communication, a monotechnic, or a polytechnic, but later resolved to pursue a full-fledged university, following consultations and submission of a letter of intent to the NUC in 2021,” he said.

The pro-chancellor said that the process culminated in the granting of a provisional licence in April 2025 after what he described as rigorous regulatory scrutiny and extensive documentation.

He acknowledged the contributions of members of the governing council and stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees (BoT) and various academic and administrative committees, whose efforts were instrumental to the realisation of the project.

Emphasising on the institution’s philosophical foundation, Akinfeleye said New City University is committed to building a culture of academic excellence, global relevance, and pedagogical innovation that would distinguish it within Nigeria’s higher education sector.

He added that the university intends to steadily increase its admission capacity while maintaining quality standards.

“The expansion plan was designed to broaden access to tertiary education and produce graduates capable of competing globally.”

On tuition policy, he said that the institution adopted a flexible payment structure to ease the financial burden on parents, allowing fees to be paid in instalments across the academic session.

He urged the pioneer students to demonstrate loyalty, discipline and commitment to their studies, describing them as ambassadors of the institution whose conduct would shape its reputation in the years ahead.

Akinfeleye also commended government agencies and regulators for providing a conducive environment for the establishment of new universities, noting that the support of the chancellor, vice-chancellor, and other stakeholders was crucial in laying the foundation for the university’s take-off.

He assured parents that the institution is determined to provide a conducive learning environment that would enable students to pursue their academic goals with ease and confidence.

In his remarks, the visitor and founder of the university, Hon. Akin Akingbesote, pledged that students who graduate with a first class CGPA, and those who qualify as chartered accountants, would have their tuition fees refunded in line with the institution’s vision of rewarding academic excellence.

He expressed hope that the university would, in the future, attain standards comparable to leading global institutions like Harvard University, noting that continuous training and capacity development would be provided for lecturers and other personnel.

He also urged the matriculating students to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and consider establishing their own businesses upon completion of their studies.

The acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Olagunju, stated that the matriculation of the first cohort marked the beginning of a new chapter in higher education. He said  that the establishment of the institution was driven by the need to complement existing universities and introduce innovative approaches to teaching, research and community engagement.

According to him, the university commenced academic programmes in Communication and Media Studies, Basic Medical and Allied Sciences, Computing and Sciences, as well as Social and Management Sciences, while the Faculty of Law is expected to take off in the 2026/2027 academic session.

He emphasised that the university assembled qualified academic staff and provided adequate infrastructure to ensure a conducive learning environment that would promote critical thinking, research, and leadership development among students.

He urged the matriculating students to remain focused on their academic pursuits and uphold the institution’s core values of excellence, integrity, diligence and responsibility, saying, “university education should shape character and prepare them for ethical leadership.”

The vc warned against examination malpractice, cultism, violence and other forms of misconduct, adding  that the university would enforce strict disciplinary measures to maintain high academic and moral standards.

He also acknowledged the support of key partners, including First Bank Plc, Keystone Bank, Wema Bank, and American Cola Soft Drinks Company, as well as the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry for fostering industry-academic collaboration.

A director at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in charge of the Ogun State Office, Alhaji Abdurahim Ahmed, reminded the university management that its admission processes are now fully automated, stressing that the era of offering admission outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) has ended.

He emphasised that any admission conducted without CAPS approval is illegal and urged the institution to ensure strict compliance with JAMB regulations in admitting students.

Ahmed also advised the new students to uphold the oath they have taken and avoid any conduct capable of bringing the university into disrepute.

In his remarks, the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Leye Kupoluyi, advised the students not to limit their aspirations, urging them to embrace continuous learning and see themselves as global ambassadors.